M&A Expert Will McDonald Joins Gibson Dunn’s London Office
Firm News | December 2, 2024
Gibson Dunn is pleased to announce that Will McDonald has joined the firm’s London office as a partner in its Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group. McDonald brings extensive experience in advising on complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on U.K. public M&A transactions.
“Will’s experience in complex mergers and acquisitions makes him an important addition to our London deal team,” said George Sampas, Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group. “Clients will benefit, in particular, from his first-hand experience at the UK Takeover Panel, which gives him an edge in U.K. public M&A deals.”
McDonald’s impressive background includes a two-year secondment to the U.K. Takeover Panel, where he was actively involved in regulating over 250 transactions, including the groundbreaking £71 billion offer of Anheuser-Busch InBev for SABMiller—the largest takeover in U.K. corporate history.
“With Gibson Dunn’s reputation for excellence and network of private equity and M&A lawyers working across geographies and industries, the opportunity to join the firm was too good to pass up,” McDonald said. “I’m looking forward to getting to work in the London office, which has made some fantastic hires in the deals space in recent years.”
This strategic hire reinforces Gibson Dunn’s commitment to strengthening its transactional practices in London. Over the past year, the firm has welcomed a number of prominent legal professionals, including private equity partner Will Summers, and finance partners Kavita Davis and David Irvine. The London office has also grown its team of transactional partners, adding Isabel Berger, Alice Brogi, Wim de Vlieger, Robert Dixon, Federico Fruhbeck, and Till Lefranc in recent years.
About Will McDonald
Will McDonald is experienced in advising corporations and financial institutions on a variety of complex domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. His practice encompasses public and private M&A, joint ventures, restructurings, and other corporate finance matters. He works across a diverse range of industries including defense, aerospace and aviation, technology, real estate, and natural resources. McDonald is recognized as a “Recommended Lawyer” in Legal 500 United Kingdom for London: M&A Upper Mid-Market and Premium Deals. He earned his M.A. Hons. (first class) in History from the Universities of Edinburgh and Washington.
What specific skills and experiences will Will McDonald bring to Gibson Dunn’s M&A practice?
## M&A Expert Will McDonald Joins Gibson Dunn: An Interview
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show today, Will. Congratulations on your recent move to Gibson Dunn’s London office.
**Will McDonald:** Thank you, it’s a pleasure to be here. I’m incredibly excited about this new chapter in my career.
**Interviewer:** You’ve been described as a leading expert in M&A, particularly in the UK. What drew you to Gibson Dunn, and what are your aspirations in this new role?
**Will McDonald:** Gibson Dunn has a fantastic reputation for excellence in M&A, both domestically and internationally. They have a strong, dynamic team here in London, and I’m eager to contribute my experience to this growing practice. My focus will be on advising clients through complex cross-border transactions, leveraging my expertise in UK public M&A. [[1](https://www.solicitorsjournal.com/sjarticle/will-mcdonald-joins-gibson-dunns-london-office)]
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that your experience at the UK Takeover Panel gives you an edge in these deals. Can you elaborate on what that means for your clients?
**Will McDonald:** Absolutely. My time at the Takeover Panel provided me with invaluable insights into the regulatory landscape surrounding UK public M&A transactions. I understand the intricacies of the Takeover Code and procedurals, which allows me to guide clients through these complex deals with greater efficiency and confidence.
**Interviewer:** Gibson Dunn has been actively expanding its London office recently. Do you see yourself playing a role in this continued growth?
**Will McDonald:** Definitely. I’m eager to foster relationships within the firm and within the wider legal community, contributing to the growth and success of Gibson Dunn’s M&A practice in London.
**Interviewer:** Well, Will, thank you so much for your time and insights today. We wish you all the best in your new role at Gibson Dunn.
**Will McDonald:** Thank you. It was a pleasure.
