Sidley Austin Hired Investment Funds Partner Justin Solomon
The law firm added the veteran attorney to co-lead its private equity funds group.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in People
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Sidley Austin has hired Justin Solomon as an investment funds partner to expand the firm's private equity offerings. Solomon, who spent nearly 20 years at Kirkland & Ellis, will co-lead the private equity funds group.
Why it matters
The firm added Solomon to bolster its private equity division, leveraging his experience in handling large-scale fund transactions. His recruitment signals an strategic effort by Sidley Austin to strengthen its market position in investment fund services.
Solomon brings nearly 20 years of experience from Kirkland & Ellis, where he advised on major deals including a $21 billion fund closing for Francisco Partners. This move follows the 2025 hiring of John Muno at Sidley Austin.
The players
Justin Solomon
He is an experienced investment funds attorney who spent nearly two decades at Kirkland & Ellis.
Sidley Austin
This is a prominent international law firm that provides legal services to corporations and financial institutions.
John Muno
He is an attorney at Sidley Austin who joined the firm from Kirkland & Ellis in 2025.
Kirkland & Ellis
This is a major global law firm known for its private equity and corporate restructuring practices.
Francisco Partners
This is a leading global investment firm that focuses exclusively on partnering with technology and technology-enabled businesses.
The details
Operating out of Los Angeles and the Bay Area, Solomon will work alongside John Muno to lead the firm's private equity funds group. The hire reflects Sidley Austin's targeted expansion of its capabilities within the investment sector.
Timeline
John Muno joined the firm in 2025.
Sidley Austin announced the hiring of Justin Solomon on October 13, 2026.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows the ongoing lateral partner market shift in big law firms, where top-tier practices are aggressively competing for specialized legal expertise. By adding Solomon, Sidley Austin is positioning itself to capture a greater share of large-scale private equity fund mandates.
The firm's expanded private equity team may lead to faster and more comprehensive legal support for institutional clients involved in complex fund formations. Prospective and current clients should expect increased bench strength when navigating high-value asset acquisitions.
The takeaway
Large law firms are increasingly prioritizing the acquisition of veteran partners to maintain a competitive edge in the private equity sector. This hiring highlights the critical value firms place on legal advisors who have a proven track record with multibillion-dollar fund closures.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership changes, visit the People section.
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