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Experience and career history

David Pearson specialises in domestic and cross-border M&A and private equity transactions, as well as all aspects of corporate finance work. David has advised corporates, private equity houses, real estate funds and investment banks on a wide range of matters, including leveraged buyouts,  acquisitions and disposals, takeovers,  mergers, joint ventures, restructurings and refinancings.

Downing College, Cambridge (MA Law) 1986
Joined Clifford Chance 1987
Admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales 1989
Partner since 1996
London Head of Corporate 2006 - 2010

Highlights of deals and projects

Permira on the c.€250 million acquisition of Norway—headquartered PHARMAQ Holding, one of the world’s leading aquatic health groups, from Orkla ASA and Kverva AS

CVC Capital Partners on the joint venture involving the combination of its debt management business, Cordatus, with Apidos Capital Management, the debt management business of Resource America Inc, to create CVC Credit Partners, a credit arm with assets of US$7.5 billion

Suntory of Japan on the acquisition of the Orangina Schweppes business from Blackstone and Lion Capital

Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels,  the owner and operator of the luxury Peninsula hotel chain, on its agreements with Qatari Diar for a proposed hotel development in Paris.

Citations and awards

David is ranked in Chambers UK 2013 for both Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability: London and Private Equity: Buyouts: UK-wide; Chambers Global 2013 for Corporate/M&A: UK; Legal 500 UK 2012 for M&A: premium deals, £250m+ and IFLR 1000 UK 2013 for both Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity - Transactions

"Due to his wealth of experience, David Pearson is "one of the best private equity lawyers in London" and "one of the savviest professionals in the field." According to one client, he is "commercial whilst keeping the interests of his client at heart."

Source: Chambers UK 2013