Richard Roeder Hired by WSGP Partners

Richard K. Roeder, 41, formerly a partner in the Los Angeles-based law firm Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, has been named a managing director at WSGP Partners, the investment firm founded by William E. Simon and Gerald L. Parsky.

At Paul, Hastings, Roeder advised corporate clients and investment groups on acquisition and financing matters. He also ran the firm’s 150-lawyer business law department. Paul, Hastings is an international firm of about 400 lawyers.

“Our working relationship with Richard has always been very strong,” said Parsky, co-chairman of WSGP Partners. “We have a real need to have someone with his unique expertise on-board full time.”

WSGP Partners plans to establish an equity fund with a limited number of international institutional investors. At the same time, the firm will make equity investments as a principal. Tokio Marine and Fire Insurance Co. made a $100-million equity investment in WSGP Partners.

“I am sorry to be leaving Paul, Hastings after 16 years, but this was a unique opportunity to grow with an investment firm that has a long-term, international investment focus,” said Roeder.