McGuireWoods has hired top-rated acquisition finance lawyer Jeff Goldfarb from Paul Hastings in New York.

Goldfarb joins as a partner and brings with him more than 20 years of experience advising private equity firms and their portfolio companies on deal financings. His experience spans debt and equity transactions, including leveraged and management buyouts, public company M&A deals and high yield bond issues across a range of sectors, including financial services, tech and consumer products.

Richard Viola, deputy managing partner of McGuireWoods’ corporate practice, said: “Jeff will be a major asset for our debt finance and private equity teams. His significant experience complements our strengths and enhances our market-leading capabilities in both areas.”

Goldfarb arrives after just under two years at Paul Hastings, having previously spent more than 16 years at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, roughly 11 of which as partner. He also served as vice chair of Willkie’s finance practice. Goldfarb started his career at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.  

Kevin McGinnis, chair of McGuireWoods’ debt finance department, said: “Jeff’s reputation as one of the nation’s preeminent finance lawyers precedes him. The insight he gained from advising lenders and borrowers in complex transactions will have enormous benefits for our clients.”

McGuireWoods ranked fifth last year for the number of completed US targeted M&A deals in Refinitiv’s legal advisor league tables, advising on a total of 294 transactions.

Goldfarb said: “McGuireWoods has one of the nation’s top finance practices and an innovative and entrepreneurial private equity team that excels in helping clients achieve their business goals. This is a perfect fit for my practice and I look forward to putting my experience to work for our clients.”

Goldfarb is the third partner to join McGuireWoods' finance practice this year following the arrival of Melissa Messina in March from financial services firm HJ Sims, where she was associate general counsel. Debt finance lawyer Jon Mooney also joined in January from PNC Financial Services Group, where he was chief counsel.

Back in February, Wall Street firm Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft hired a quartet of US leveraged finance partners from King & Spalding. While in January, K&L Gates hired a seven-strong team of private equity lawyers from Dentons Cohen & Grigsby.