Key facts
- Cleary Gottlieb has hired funds partner David Christmas from Fried Frank in London.
- Christmas has a decade of experience at Fried Frank, where he became partner in 2018.
- His expertise includes fund formation in alternative asset classes and GP-led secondaries.
- The hire supports Cleary Gottlieb's strategic priority to grow its funds and private capital business.
- London has seen substantial growth for the firm, with its partner count doubling since 2021.
Cleary Gottlieb has strengthened its London office by hiring funds partner David Christmas from Fried Frank. Christmas, who spent a decade at Fried Frank and was made partner in 2018, focuses on fund formation across various alternative asset classes and GP-led secondaries.
This strategic hire underscores Cleary Gottlieb's commitment to expanding its global funds and private capital capabilities, a key priority for the firm. London has been a notable area of growth, with the firm's partner numbers in the city having doubled since 2021. The firm also recently expanded its European real estate practice with the addition of Stephen Nicolas.
The recruitment occurs amid a highly competitive talent market in London, where law firms are heavily investing in their private capital expertise. Christmas's prior experience also includes roles at Kirkland & Ellis and legacy firm Berwin Leighton Paisner.