Advisors
Stefano Barbagallo
Partner
Stefano began his legal career in Australia, practicing in private equity and funds before relocating to New York to join Kirkland & Ellis, where he focused on secondaries and complex liquidity transactions.
That experience now underpins his approach to search. Having advised sponsors and executed transactions himself, Stefano brings a commercial and technical understanding of how careers, and platforms, are built within BigLaw.
He advises leading Partners and Associates on strategic moves across private capital, including; private equity, funds, secondaries and GP stakes, with a particular focus on next-generation Partner talent. His work spans the United States and London, representing Partners with portable books of business ranging from ~$5M to $40M+.
Stefano has negotiated over $100M in Associate and Partner compensation and is known for bringing a level of market intelligence, financial acuity and commercial clarity rarely found in legal search. He is often engaged on mandates where timing, discretion, and internal firm dynamics are as critical as the hire itself.
He leads GPS Advisory’s legal search practice, focused on discreet, high-stakes advisory within private markets.
Stefano is based in New York, where he lives with his dog, Mack.