Krishna Skandakumar Appointed Co-Chair of Debevoise's Private Funds Transactions Group

Krishna Skandakumar Appointed as Co-Chair

In an exciting development in the world of finance, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP has announced that Krishna Skandakumar has joined the firm as the Co-Chair of their Private Funds Transactions Group, alongside partner Natalia Kubik. This move is set to enhance Debevoise's expertise in the complex and evolving landscape of secondaries transactions, further solidifying the firm's position as a leader in this field.

Bringing Expertise to the Team

Krishna Skandakumar and Natalia Kubik arrive at Debevoise with a wealth of experience, having previously led a team focused on secondaries law at a prominent international firm. Their collective knowledge encompasses a wide range of transactions, including continuation vehicles, limited partner (LP) portfolio sales, tender offers, and recapitalizations. This breadth of experience makes them invaluable assets to the Private Fund Transactions Group, which serves private equity sponsors and investors, among others.

Peter Furci, Debevoise's Presiding Partner, expressed confidence in the pair’s capabilities, stating, "For more than 40 years, Debevoise has been at the forefront of advising private equity sponsors and investors across all stages of the fund lifecycle. The addition of Krishna and Natalia, who are recognized as industry leaders in secondaries transactions, will further enhance our already strong practice."

A Holistic Approach

Rebecca Silberstein, the Global Chair of the Investment Management Group at Debevoise, highlighted the unique approach that Skandakumar and Kubik bring: "They are known for providing comprehensive, market-informed guidance that leads to positive outcomes for both investors and sponsors. Their extensive experience will benefit our clients immensely."

The firm is witnessing significant momentum in its secondaries practice, which can be attributed to clients increasingly turning to Debevoise's multidisciplinary teams for assistance with complex transactions. Kevin Schmidt, Co-Chair of the Private Equity Group, remarked on this trend, saying, "Our growth strategy aims to continue meeting the evolving needs of our clients, and the arrival of Krishna and Natalia aligns perfectly with that vision."

Educational Background and Previous Roles

Skandakumar holds an undergraduate degree in Actuarial Studies and Law from The Australian National University, which he completed in 2012, along with a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice obtained in 2013. He later earned his LLM from the University of Melbourne in 2017. Before joining Debevoise, he built a commendable reputation as a partner at another international law firm along with Kubik, who earned her Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Law from the University of Cambridge in 2011.

The Role of the Private Fund Transactions Group

The Private Fund Transactions Group at Debevoise is recognized as an industry leader, offering clients a deep understanding of market dynamics, innovative solutions, and a dedicated focus on achieving their objectives. The group has been instrumental in advising on nearly 350 secondaries transactions in 2024, amounting to over $33.2 billion in total transaction value — a testament to their competence and standing in the market.

Moreover, the Debevoise Private Equity Group combines expertise from more than 500 lawyers globally, enabling them to provide comprehensive support across all aspects of the private equity lifecycle. This cohesive and agile structure has earned the firm high accolades from Chambers Partners and The Legal 500, underlining their commitment to delivering results that matter.

Conclusion

As Krishna Skandakumar and Natalia Kubik step into their new roles at Debevoise, the firm is well-positioned to further strengthen its Private Fund Transactions Group. Their appointment not only enhances the group's capacity to navigate complex transactions but also reinforces Debevoise’s reputation as a key player in the private equity and secondaries markets. With their rich backgrounds and expertise, clients can anticipate a bright future filled with innovative solutions and robust support.