Goodarz Agahi has joined BakerHostetler as a partner in Costa Mesa, California. Agahi focuses on M&A, leveraged buyouts, restructurings, recapitalizations and financings.

David Azema has joined Perella Weinberg Partners as a partner in the firm’s advisory business. Based in London, Azema is responsible for leading the firm’s investment banking practice in France.

Derria Banta has been promoted to managing director at Denver, Colorado-based Platte River Equity, in addition to her chief financial officer duties. Banta first joined the firm in 2012 and will oversee both firm and fund administration for Platte River.

James Barnes has joined Blank Rome LLP’s Pittsburgh office as a partner. Most recently with Pepper Hamilton LLP, Barnes has experience in M&A, capital markets, corporate and securities law, and corporate governance.

David Brown was hired by Nixon Peabody LLP’s Chicago office as a managing partner. Brown concentrates on M&A, private equity, securities and venture capital.

Mark Brown was promoted from principal to managing director at Denver, Colorado-based Platte River Equity. Brown joined Platte River in 2011 and focuses on the firm’s investments in industrials, energy products and services companies.

John Calcagnini has joined Stout Risius Ross Inc. as a managing director in the investment banking group’s healthcare industry practice. Calcagnini’s experience extends to M&A, divestitures, joint ventures, restructurings, and equity and debt financings.

Jeremy Cape has joined Squire Patton Boggs as a partner in the firm’s tax strategy and benefits practice group. Based in London, Cape advises on tax-related issues covering cross-border transactions including M&A, finance, restructuring and insolvency, funds and outsourcing.

Todd Cassidy was hired by Raymond James as a managing director. Based in Chicago, Cassidy will focus on middle-market M&A opportunities for automotive parts, aftermarket providers and services companies.

Glynna Christian has joined Orrick’s San Francisco office as a partner co-heading the firm’s global technology transactions practice. Most recently with Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, Christian concentrates on M&A, financings and public offerings.

Paul Ciolino has joined Chicago-based Wynnchurch Capital LLC as an operating partner focused on investments in the heavy industrials, metals, flow technology, and building products sectors. Ciolino previously served as the CEO of U.S. Pipe (Nasdaq: FRTA), a manufacturer of water distribution products that was acquired by Wynnchurch Capital in April 2012.

Daniel Clare was hired by Constitutional Capital Partners as a partner heading the firm’s new office in New York. Clare joins most recently from Ascribe Capital, which invests in the debt and equity securities of middle-market companies.

Dan Costello was promoted to managing director at San Francisco-based TSG Consumer Partners LLC. Prior to joining TSG in 2007, Costello worked at Wachovia Securities advising clients on M&A and debt and equity financings.

Daniel Csefalvay has joined London-based Latham & Watkins LLP as a partner in the firm’s corporate department and financial institutions group. Csefalvay’s previous experience includes advising domestic and cross-border transactions and financial regulatory matters.

Chris Dardaman has joined Atlanta-based Heritage Growth Partners LLC, a private family investment office, as a partner. Former CEO of Brightworth, Dardaman focuses on minority recapitalization opportunities.

Matteo Daste has joined Orrick’s San Francisco office as a partner in the law firm’s technology group. Daste advises public and private clients on M&A, capital-raising, and reorganizations.

Melissa Dickerson has been promoted to chief financial officer and managing director of operations at San Francisco-based Genstar Capital. Before joining the firm in 2004, Dickerson worked as the controller at American Industrial Partners.

Craig Farr was hired by New York-based Carlyle Group (Nasdaq: CG) as a senior adviser in the firm’s global credit group. In his new role, Farr will help develop new strategic initiatives across Carlyle’s credit platform, which includes loans and structured credit, private credit, energy credit and distressed credit.

Patrick Flanagan was hired by New York-based Cooley LLP as a partner in the firm’s private equity practice. Flanagan focuses on both domestic and international leveraged finance transactions, including: acquisitions and debt financing.

Roger Fradin has joined the Carlyle Group as an operating executive for the firm’s industrial and transportation team. Fradin was most recently with Honeywell International (NYSE: HON) where he was responsible for advancing the company’s M&A strategy.

Jay Galluzzo was promoted from an operating adviser to managing director at Greenwich, Connecticut-based North Castle Partners. In his new role, Galluzzo will be responsible for pursuing new investments in general consumer businesses.

Seth Harward was promoted from principal to partner at Charlotte-based Frontier Capital. Harward joined Frontier Capital in 2008 and leads the firm’s business development and sourcing strategy.

Renata Hesse has joined Sullivan & Cromwell LLP as a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Most recently serving as the acting assistant attorney general in charge of the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust division, Hesse focuses on antitrust counseling and merger clearance.

Gregory Hill has joined Hogan Lovells’ Houston office as a partner. Hill will represent clients on M&A, capital investment and fund formation.

Scott Hoch was promoted from principal to partner at Charlotte-based Frontier Capital. Hoch joined the firm in 2007 and is responsible for executing new investments with a focus on healthcare information and human resources technology.

Justin Jacobi was promoted CEO to executive chairman of Addison, Illinois-based SunSource, a fluid power distribution company backed by Littlejohn & Co. Sacher joined SunSource in 2002 and focuses on strategic growth initiatives, including acquisition planning and new technology initiatives.

Thomas Kelso has been promoted to president at middle-market investment bank Matrix Capital Markets Group Inc. Based in Richmond, Virginia, Kelso’s new role will be in addition to his current responsibilities as managing director and principal of Matrix’s downstream energy and convenience retail group.

James Kirk was promoted from principal to managing director at New York-based Corsair Capital LLC. Kirk’s focuses on M&A and capital raising. He joined the firm in 2004.

Michael Layman has been promoted to managing director at TSG Consumer Partners LLC in San Francisco. Layman joined TSG in 2009 and concentrates on M&A, debt and equity financings, and due diligence.

Ray LaSoya has joined Los Angeles-based Cooley LLP as a partner in the firm’s M&A practice. Most recently with Stroock Stroock Lavan LLP, LaSoya’s previous experience covers corporate transactions, acquisitions and divestitures, and private and public equity investments.

Alexander Lee was hired by McDermott Will & Emery as a tax partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Lee joins most recently from Paul Hastings LLP and focuses on M&A, capital markets, lending and finance with an emphasis on the healthcare industry.

Jeff Legault was hired by DLA Piper in New York as a partner in the firm’s corporate practice. Legault focuses on M&A and private equity across the life sciences, manufacturing and financial services industries.

Joe Manning was promoted to partner at The Riverside Co.’s Cleveland office. Currently the lead on three platform investments, Manning first joined the firm in 2006 and rejoined in 2011.

Niall McComiskey has been promoted from director to a managing director at New York-based Greenbriar Equity Group LLC. Since joining the firm in 2006, McComiskey has led the structuring and sourcing of numerous investments across the transportation sector.

Michele McHale was promoted to national private equity industry leader at Southfield, Michigan-based Plante Moran. McHale is also a partner in the firm’s transaction advisory services practice and focuses on private equity and M&A across the manufacturing, distribution, construction and healthcare sectors.

Shawn McMenimen has joined New York-based Gen II Fund Services LLC as a senior managing director. McMenimen joins the firm from State Street, and will now be responsible for managing the firm’s client relationships and oversight of Gen II’s compliance department.

Winston Meade has joined investment bank Stephens Inc. as a managing director and head of the firm’s telecommunications banking division. Based in New York, Meade joins the firm from UBS Investment Bank.

Gregory Metz has joined McDermott Will & Emery in Chicago as a partner in the firm’s corporate and transactional practice group. Previously at Ropes & Gray LLP advising clients on M&A, Metz will focus on middle-market private equity.

Steve Mills has joined New York private equity firm Bridge Growth Partners LLC as a senior adviser. Mills previously served as executive vice president of International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM), where he oversaw the company’s M&A strategy which included more than 150 transactions.

Aliq Naqvi was hired by Wilmington Trust N.A. to serve as director of business development in Costa Mesa, California. Naqvi works to expand M&A escrow and paying agency services to corporate clients and law firms in the Western U.S.

Guy Phillips was hired by Stout Risius Ross Inc. as a senior adviser in the firm’s investment banking group. Phillips advises companies in the consumer products and retail sectors.

Matt Pennino has joined Bryant Park Capital LLC as a managing director in New York. Most recently with Brean Capital, Pennino focuses on capital raising and advisory transactions.

Matt Petrucci was promoted to national transaction advisory services leader at Plante Moran. Petrucci previously led the firm’s transaction advisory services team in Chicago where he focused on middle-market buy-side and sell-side transactions.

David Quon was hired by White Oak Global Advisors LLC as a managing director. Quon will responsible for originating and structuring new investment opportunities in the greater Chicago, Midwest and Canadian regions.

Andrew Rueff has been appointed as an operating partner at middle-market private equity firm Waud Capital Partners. Based in Chicago, Rueff will focus on pursuing new platform investments in the payments and financial technology sectors.

Alejandro Ruiz has joined McDermott Will & Emery as a partner in San Francisco. Ruiz joins most recently from Greenberg Taurig where he advised on tax issues of domestic and cross-border transactions including: M&A, buyouts, debt and equity financing, and fund formations.

Joseph Salley was hired by New York-based Arsenal Capital Partners as an operating partner within the firm’s specialty industrials group. Salley was most recently with Milliken & Co. as CEO, handling acquisitions, integrations, and business exits.

Ben Schryber has joined the New York office of Carlyle Group LP as a managing director leading credit sales and global business development efforts. Schryber previously held positions at First Avenue Partners, Albourne Partners, and Blue Ridge Partners.

Ian Schwartz has joined McDermott Will & Emery as a partner in New York. Schwartz, a former partner at Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP, will head the firm’s investment funds practice.

Paul Scrivano has joined New York-based Ropes & Gray LLP as a partner in San Francisco. Scrivano serves as global head of the firm’s mergers & acquisitions practice.

David Shoulders was promoted from director to managing director at Richmond, Virginia-based Matrix Capital Markets Group Inc. Shoulders has been with the investment bank for more than ten years sourcing M&A and capital raising transactions, and will now head Matrix’s consumer and industrial products group.

Katie Solomon has been promoted to managing director at San Francisco-based Genstar Capital, focusing on talent management. Solomon joined the firm in 2011 and works to help drive growth through the identification and acquisition of talent.

Steven Spiteri has been promoted to partner in the Melbourne, Australia office of The Riverside Co. Prior to joining the PE firm in 2010, Spiteri worked at Hastings Private Equity and KPMG Corporate Finance.

Joshua Stowell has joined Boston-based Wilmington Trust N.A. as a senior trust sales representative in the global capital markets division. Stowell focuses on expanding loan agency services to alternative capital providers, business development companies, and direct lenders.

Adam Tope has joined New York-based Hogan Lovells LLP as a partner in the firm’s corporate practice. Tope joins the law firm most recently from Greenberg Traurig LLP and will advise clients on all aspects of fund information.

Michael Vossen has been promoted from principal to managing director at Minneapolis-based GMB Mezzanine Capital. Before joining the firm as an analyst in 2005, Vossen worked at Piper Jaffray & Co. (NYSE: PJC) and Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Fred Wang was hired by Menlo Park, California-based Adams Street Partners as a partner and a member of the firm’s ASP Capital investment team. Wang will focus on directly investing in enterprise and security software opportunities.

Brian Wornow has joined New York-based investment bank Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc. as a managing director in the financial services sector. Wornow will be responsible for advising clients on M&A, divestitures, private equity, and debt offerings for the real estate sector. He joins most recently from Clayton Holdings.