SJ Berwin unveils Paris office in push for European dealsCity firm SJ Berwin has strengthened its resolve to become the leading private equity practice across Europe by opening an office in Paris.

The firm has recruited private equity funds specialist George Pinkham and tax lawyer Sylvie Vansteenkiste, currently at international firm Salans Hertzfeld & Heilbronn, to establish the office.The firm said the pair form one of the leading buy-out/venture capital teams and leading private equity funds teams in France.

They will be joined by former team member Jean Goncalves, in-house tax adviser to GE Medical Systems Europe.SJ Berwin opened an office in Munich last month.

The firm also has offices in Frankfurt, Berlin, Brussels and Madrid.SJ Berwin's senior partner, David Harrel, said: 'The Paris office is a vital stage in our highly focused expansion in Europe, and our aim is to be the leading European deals firm.'Neil Rose