Gavin Anderson

Partner at Debevoise & Plimton

Gavin Anderson is based in the Hong Kong and London offices, and is a member of the firm’s Investment Funds and Investment Management, and Private Fund Transactions Groups. He has broad experience in advising sponsors and investors on a variety of issues, including fund formation, co-investment, fund restructurings and carried interest arrangements.

Mr. Anderson’s recent experience includes acting for clients such as EQT, CDH Investments, Clearwater Capital, HarbourVest, HongShan (formerly Sequoia China), Morgan Stanley, Navis Capital Partners, Pantheon Ventures, True North and Southern Capital.

The major legal directories recognise Mr. Anderson as one of the leading lawyers in the region. He is recommended for private equity funds by IFLR1000 (2022) and was named as an Asia Future Leader 2021 by the guide. He is recognised for Investment Funds in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific – Greater China (2024) and also top-ranked in Chambers Greater China (2024) and Chambers Global (2024). Who’s Who Legal (2024) also names him as one of ten Thought Leaders for private funds in Hong Kong. The guides note that he is “one of the best investment funds lawyers in Asia” and that he “impresses with his formidable knowledge of market practice as well as legal/regulatory developments, and his ability to help clients seamlessly navigate complex fundraisings.” According to clients, “he knows the PE and VC industry very well and has excellent commercial sense. He always provides suggestions and advice with a good balance of legal knowledge and commercial considerations.” He is also described as “a renowned figure in the market for his expertise in all aspects of fund formation, capital raising and closing” and “a technically brilliant lawyer, who delivers spot-on and insightful advice on the most complex subjects” and he is “simply superb in problem solving and a valuable asset in negotiations.” Sources praise his ability to “distill the essence of complex issues quickly, articulate solutions clearly and negotiate in a friendly way to swiftly achieve resolutions.” Clients describe him as “a calm, level-headed partner with great commercial judgement” and “a client-oriented and legally incisive lawyer with vast experience and expertise.” He has also been described as “an exceptional private funds lawyer with an easy-going style who focuses on pragmatic solutions to issues.” He is said to be “super smart” with “a super fast brain” and is “well versed in advising managers on both growth capital and private equity fund formation.” One client is quoted as observing that “he’s technically extremely strong and very, very well organized — that's critical.” In The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2023), Mr. Anderson is also recommended for his work in India, with the guide noting that he is “sharp, solutions-focused and very user-friendly.”

Mr. Anderson regularly writes and speaks on private equity topics. He is the author of the “Investor side letters” chapter in Global Investment Funds: A Practical Guide to Structuring, Raising and Managing Funds published by Global Law and Business (July, 2016). He is also a co-author of “Debevoise Discusses Private Equity Options in Face of Liquidity Crunch,” The CLS Blue Sky Blog (May, 2020) and “Asia Is at a Turning Point,” Private Equity International (September, 2018).

Mr. Anderson earned his B.A. (Hons) from the University of Oxford (Brasenose College) in 2000 and PgDL from the College of Law at Guildford in 2001. He graduated from the Legal Practice Course at the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice in 2002. Prior to joining Debevoise in 2006, he trained and worked as an associate at an international law firm in London.