Sidley Expands Charlotte Finance Team With New Partner
The firm added a new partner and three associates to boost capacity for complex asset-based and private credit transactions.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Corporate Finance
Sidley has expanded its Charlotte office by hiring partner Glenn Kunkes and three associates from Mayer Brown to bolster its global finance capabilities. The move marks a continued push by the 2,300-lawyer firm to increase its headcount within the private credit and asset-based finance sectors.
Why it matters
As the firm integrates new expertise in collateral loan obligations and lending facilities, local financial institutions in Charlotte may see increased competition or new options for sophisticated legal counsel on complex debt products. This recruitment cycle aligns with the firm's broader strategy to scale its finance practice in key regional hubs.
Sidley has added more than 40 Global Finance partners over the last three years, expanding a team that currently includes 200 lawyers out of the firm's total 2,300. The firm is now looking to leverage these additions to capture more volume in private credit markets.
The players
Sidley
A global law firm with 160 years of experience and approximately 2,300 lawyers.
Glenn Kunkes
A finance partner specializing in structured finance products and bank-funded collateral loan obligations.
Mayer Brown
A global law firm providing legal services to financial institutions and corporations.
The details
Kunkes specializes in the structuring and negotiation of asset-based lending facilities and bank-funded collateral loan obligations. By adding him and three associates, the firm aims to create deeper integration across its finance teams to manage more complex, multi-jurisdictional structured finance products. This build-out reflects a deliberate shift toward capturing greater market share in the asset-backed finance sector.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: Sidley announced the hire of Glenn Kunkes.
Last three years: Sidley added more than 40 Global Finance partners.
Market Landscape
Sidley's latest hires follow the industry-wide trend of large firms aggressively recruiting specialized talent to capture growth in non-bank lending and structured finance. This move signals that the firm is prioritizing scale in private credit to compete with specialized boutique practices.
Business operators in Charlotte should monitor whether this talent shift leads to more aggressive pricing or expanded service offerings for complex asset-based loans. Firms seeking sophisticated debt structuring should assess whether their current outside counsel provides comparable depth in emerging private credit instruments.
The takeaway
The move suggests a competitive pivot toward the private credit market that may force other firms in the region to re-evaluate their own service capabilities. Operators should review their existing legal support for structured financing to determine if they need a firm with more specialized technical expertise.
Further reading
For more on firm-level financial strategy and talent recruitment, visit Corporate Finance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Globallegalchronicle.
