Willkie Farr & Gallagher announced on Monday that private equity lawyer Kris Agarwal has joined the firm’s Houston office as a partner.
The news comes on a day the firm also lost Houston partner Jesse Myers to Gibson Dunn. Myers joined Willkie at the beginning of 2021 from Latham & Watkins.
For the last dozen-plus years, Agarwal has worked in-house for private equity firms. Most notably, he has served as general counsel for Platinum Equity in Los Angeles and Houston-based Lime Rock Partners, where he spent a decade. The SMU Dedman School of Law graduate started his career at Skadden and also practiced for a short stint at Vinson & Elkins.
Agarwal has deep experience advising on venture capital and growth/buyout fundraising initiatives, deal structuring, deal execution and portfolio company oversight related to investments in a variety of sectors, including energy, media, technology, cybersecurity and cryptocurrency.
Agarwal is the fifth private equity partner Willkie has added this year firmwide, though the Houston office has seen key departures, including former office leaders Bruce Herzog and Mike Piazza. The firm has tapped Archie Fallon, Jay Hughes and Robert Jacobson to serve as managing partners of the 37-lawyer office.
“Kris is well known to Willkie’s corporate and funds practice, having worked with a number of our partners across offices,” Fallon said in a statement.
“He has an innovative perspective on advising sponsors and their companies, leveraging deep relationships in Texas, New York and California. We view him as a proven leader and a catalyst for expansion of our Houston office.”
Willkie reported $68.6 million in Texas revenues in 2021, according to The Texas Lawbook 50.