Ropes & Gray’s London office will serve private equity, private investment fund and finance sector clients in the UK and Europe, and is scheduled to open at the start of next year.

In the past 12 months Ropes & Gray has represented private equity sponsors in a third of North American buyouts, the firm said in a statement, and it now wishes to establish a base in London to serve what it sees as an important centre from which to execute clients’ global mandates. The new London base will be Ropes & Gray's fourth new office in two years, following launches in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Chicago.

Messrs Allan and Goetz are former co-heads of the banking and capital markets practice groups of White & Case, where they presided over the London office’s growth from 65 to 400 fee earners.

Mr Allan specialises is in complex transactions and cross-border financings, while Mr Goetz’s experience has been focused on representing clients in leveraged lending and acquisition finance matters, along with bankruptcies and business reorganisations.

"With their background in private equity and debt, as well as their proven track record in the competitive London market, Maurice and Mike are uniquely qualified to lead our expansion into the UK," said David Chapin, a private equity and M&A partner at the firm.

Mr Chapin will be assisting with launching and expanding the London office, along with Newcomb Stillwell, a former head of Ropes & Gray's Private Equity Practice Group.