Mayer Brown expands Private Equity team with Nikolai Sokolov

Mayer Brown is further strengthening its Private Equity practice with the addition of Nikolai Sokolov (PICTURED) as a new partner, joining the Frankfurt office in August 2025. Sokolov moves from Hogan Lovells and brings extensive experience advising private equity and strategic investors on both domestic and cross-border transactions.

“We are delighted to welcome Nikolai Sokolov to our team. His expertise and strategic mindset will significantly support our clients in navigating complex transactions,” said Dr. Ulrike Binder, Head of Mayer Brown’s Corporate/M&A practice in Germany.

Sokolov has deep experience in leveraged buyouts (LBOs), management buyouts (MBOs), co-investments, carve-outs, and joint ventures. His industry focus includes business services, software, technology, defense, and infrastructure. Among others, he regularly advises the French private equity investor ADAGIA. Recent matters include advising Dürr AG on its acquisition of BBS Automation Group from financial investor EQT, advising the shareholders of the Exyte Group on the sale of a minority stake to US-based financial investor BDT, and advising a marketing agency on multiple M&A transactions as part of its growth strategy.

With this addition, Mayer Brown continues to strengthen its commitment to first-class private equity advisory and remains on a consistent growth path in Germany. Sokolov’s arrival follows the recent hiring of Dr. Octávio de Sousa in June 2025 and Fabio Borggreve in September 2023. These additions in Germany are part of Mayer Brown’s broader international growth strategy. In January of this year, seven partners and their team joined the firm in Paris from leading French law firm Ayache. In November 2024, the firm also expanded its private equity practice in Chicago with the addition of partner Jonathan A. Dhanawade.