Broadfield Strengthens U.S. Private Equity and Finance Capabilities With Two Lateral Partners From Sidley and Cooley

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May 7, 2026 (New York) – Broadfield, the global law firm, today announced the addition of Michiel Visser and Patrick J. Flanagan as partners in the firm’s U.S. corporate practice in New York. The appointments deepen Broadfield’s capabilities across private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and leveraged finance, as the firm continues to build a globally connected platform designed for complex transactions, disciplined execution, and rational pricing.

Michiel Visser joins Broadfield as a corporate partner from Sidley Austin and will serve as Head of Private Equity for Broadfield U.S. and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He advises private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and corporates on mergers, divestitures, acquisitions, joint ventures, minority investments, restructurings, business combinations, and corporate governance. Dual-qualified in New York and England and Wales, Michiel brings more than 20 years of experience advising on complex cross-border transactions across technology, healthcare, transportation, consumer, infrastructure, industrials, and energy. He is consistently recognized by leading legal directories for corporate and M&A work.

Patrick J. Flanagan joins Broadfield as a debt finance partner from Cooley, with a focus on leveraged finance and acquisition financings. He advises private equity sponsors and financial institutions on domestic and cross-border financings, including first-lien and second-lien facilities, mezzanine financings, growth capital loans, recapitalizations, and workouts. During his time at Cooley, Patrick advised on the debt financing for Cornerstone OnDemand’s acquisition of Saba for approximately $1.395 billion and led the team advising Coupang on a $1 billion syndicated credit facility in connection with its $4.55 billion initial public offering.

“Michiel and Patrick are exactly the kind of senior, commercially minded partners private equity clients want leading complex transactions,” said Chris Hagenbuch, Managing Partner of Broadfield U.S. “They bring sponsor fluency across the full deal stack, from M&A through acquisition financing. Their additions accelerate our ability to deliver partner-led execution with speed and clarity.”

Private equity, sovereign wealth, and family office clients want senior attention, innovation, and teams that can move across borders. Michiel’s leadership in private M&A and Patrick’s depth in leveraged finance strengthen our platform at the moments that matter most: signing, closing, and value creation across the hold period.

Michael Volpe

U.S. Chairman of Broadfield

“Private equity is evolving quickly, and the legal model has to evolve with it,” said Michiel Visser. “Broadfield is investing in new technology and modern delivery methods to accelerate processes, simplify execution, and allow partners to focus on judgment and results. This approach matches the current demands of sponsors and portfolio companies.”

Broadfield continues to invest in cutting-edge infrastructure and secure, AI-enabled workflows that support collaboration across offices and help teams move matters forward with consistency and transparency. The firm works with SHP Legal Services, a subsidiary of LSS Strategic Partners, an A&M Inc. company, which supports operational and technology initiatives and can help facilitate access to Alvarez and Marsal’s broader professional services capabilities when clients require multidisciplinary input. Broadfield is an independent, partner-owned law firm.

Broadfield’s global practice is rapidly expanding – with these new hires, Broadfield has already brought in 12 lateral partners in the last seven months.