Debt finance lawyer Andrew Sagor has moved from Kirkland & Ellis to Baker McKenzie in New York, becoming co-chair of its North American leveraged finance practice.

Sagor, who said he’s eager to help grow Baker McKenzie’s market presence, said he was impressed with the firm’s investments in leveraged finance and related practices including private equity and restructuring. Between Baker McKenzie’s lateral growth in London and its hiring of dealmakers Mark Mandel from Milbank in April and Leif King from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in August, the firm was clearly committed to its strategy of growing core corporate practices, Sagor said.