Akash Sethi, one of the six original partners of McGuireWoods LLP’s newest office in Dallas, is the office’s first managing partner, the firm announced Wednesday.
Sethi is a private equity attorney with 20 years of experience in middle market private equity funds, mezzanine private equity and venture capital funds as well as institutional investors and companies in all stages of development.
“I am proud to have been asked to serve as the first managing partner of the Dallas office. Our talented group of partners, associates and staff all play important roles in serving our clients and establishing our office in the Dallas community,” Sethi said.
“Although we are initially focused on private equity, venture capital, corporate finance, fund formation and intellectual property, we are excited about expanding our ranks in all areas to assist McGuireWoods in executing its strategic plan for both Texas and the firm globally,” he said.
Sethi came to McGuireWoods in late March along with private equity lawyers David McLean, J. Kevin Boardman and Jon Finger and intellectual property attorneys Darren W. Collins and Robert C. Hilton from the Dallas office of Patton Boggs LLP. Together, they opened McGuireWoods’ Dallas office in late March, joining offices in Houston and Austin in staking a strategic position for the firm in the thriving U.S. markets of Texas and the American Southwest and internationally.
“We are fortunate to have a lawyer of Akash’s demonstrated ability and a person of his character to lead our new venture in Dallas, building McGuireWoods’ proven record for outstanding client service in the field of private equity law,” said McGuireWoods Managing Partner Tom Cabaniss. “Akash leads a talented and entrepreneurial team of lawyers dedicated to satisfying a broad spectrum of client needs.”
McGuireWoods Executive Director Bob Couture expressed confidence that Sethi is the perfect fit for the firm’s goal of growing its business in Dallas rapidly.
“Besides his exemplary record as a private equity attorney, Akash brings strong leadership and business sense to our Dallas office,” Couture said.
Sethi, 41, earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994 and graduated with honors from the University of Houston Law Center three years later.