SPOTLIGHT: Paul Hastings LLP
Paul Hastings is a leading global law firm recognized for its elite teams in finance, capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, restructuring, litigation, and more. The firm advises top investment banks, asset managers, and corporations worldwide.
Its Global Securities and Capital Markets practice counsels’ issuers, underwriters, and private equity sponsors on IPOs, debt offerings, private placements, and regulatory compliance. With fully integrated bank finance and debt capital markets expertise, it ensures seamless cross-border transactions.
Its Israel Practice stands out for its deep market knowledge and proven track record in high-profile deals. With Hebrew-speaking attorneys and strong local connections, it bridges Israeli and global markets, delivering top-tier, tailored legal solutions.
This week, we speak with Colin Diamond, Co-Chair of the Global Securities and Capital Markets practice, and fellow partner Gil Savir, both in the New York office. Colin is ranked in the IsraelDesks rankings and Chambers Global.
After a challenging 18 months in Israel, which sectors have seen resilience and what transactions are you seeing taking place? Which areas of work regarding Israel would you like to highlight for your firm’s Israel Desk?
We see a subset of Israeli companies pulling ahead of their peers in Israel and globally, and positioning themselves to be market leaders. These companies often operate in the cybersecurity space or otherwise have SaaS business models and technology that is widely commercialized outside of Israel.
These companies are exposed to a wide range of regulatory compliance and litigation challenges and in many cases are also preparing for a potential IPO in the United States. We love to support these clients in developing and scaling their compliance programs, addressing litigation challenges and preparing for potential life as a public company.
What challenges do you anticipate facing the Israeli legal and business sectors, and how do you plan to address them to maintain your competitive edge?
Trade, sanction and merger control restrictions are changing rapidly, and may start to impact Israeli companies with respect to their ability to do business in certain parts of the world. Israeli companies need to consider carefully whether these restrictions apply to them as a matter of law or whether they should apply them as a matter of practice.
We are seeking to make clients globally aware of these issues and impress on them the importance of building robust compliance programs.
As someone leading the firm’s Israel-related work on the ground, what has been your most rewarding experience so far, and what personal goals do you have for the future development of your Israel practice?
Our most rewarding experiences have simply been the ability to visit clients over the last 18 months and participate in activities that they are undertaking to support different sectors of Israeli society that face challenges.
In addition, we find it incredibly rewarding to come to Israel with Jewish and non-Jewish colleagues who have never visited before and come away moved and energized.
In your own experience, what is the best advice you would give to someone working with Israeli law firms or clients?
Be responsive. Get up early. Go to bed late. And go visit!
How do you switch off outside of the law?
Running, cycling, travel planning.
