Updated
Updated · Bloomberg Law · Jul 7
Sidley Austin Hires Latham Partner Andrew Baker After $2.7 Billion Pizza Hut Deal
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg Law · Jul 7

Sidley Austin Hires Latham Partner Andrew Baker After $2.7 Billion Pizza Hut Deal

3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg Law · Jul 7

Summary

  • Andrew Baker joined Sidley Austin as a capital markets partner in New York, giving the firm another senior high-yield debt lawyer from Latham & Watkins.
  • Sidley said Baker brings deep experience in high-yield financings and related bridge facilities, underscoring its push to expand capital markets capabilities.
  • Baker recently led a team advising Yum! Brands on the $2.7 billion sale of Pizza Hut to LongRange Capital and worked for underwriters on Mastercard’s $5 billion notes offering.
  • The move adds to partner departures from Latham in capital markets, highlighting continued competition among elite firms for dealmakers tied to large financing mandates.

Insights

Latham lost a top partner but still leads league tables. What does this reveal about the power of individuals versus elite firms?
Is Big Law's 'talent war' a sign of strategic growth, or just a high-stakes game of musical chairs with star partners?
With LegalTech's rise, will the 'star partner' model that fuels Big Law's talent war soon become obsolete?