Geoffrey Burgess is a corporate partner with a broad international practice in Europe (including Russia), Africa and India, with particular focus in the private equity, TMT, healthcare and aviation industries. He is also a member of the firm’s ESG and Special Situations teams.

Mr. Burgess joined the firm in 1997 and has been resident in the London office since 1999. Mr. Burgess co-leads the India and Africa practice groups at Debevoise and is also a leader in the firm’s Private Fund Transactions Group, with a focus on GP replacement projects. He is a member of the Africa Venture Capital Association (AVCA), and previously served as co-chair of its Legal and Regulatory Committee. Mr. Burgess is a member of the London office’s pro bono committee and is a volunteer at law clinics for social entrepreneurship at unLtd and for disability benefits in Hammersmith & Fulham.

Mr. Burgess graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill B.Sc., with honors, Phi Beta Kappa, Morehead Scholar, and in 1993 received his J.D. from Columbia, where he was a Stone Scholar, received a Parker School Certificate in International Law and served on the Journal of Transnational Law as head notes editor, Parker School Journal of East European Law as founding managing editor and Survey of East European Law as managing editor. He was a Ford Foundation Fellow, Institute of State and Law (Moscow) in 1994.

In The Legal 500 UK (2026), Mr. Burgess is recommended for Private Equity, and is considered a leading authority on sustainable investment strategies and ESG policies and issues. He is also listed as a leading partner for his work in emerging markets, with clients describing him as “incredibly smart, consistently demonstrating a deep command of complex legal and regulatory matters, while also maintaining a strong commercial sensibility.” Clients say that “what truly sets Geoff apart is his ability to integrate seamlessly with local counsel, fostering a cohesive, cross-border team dynamic that adds real value for clients navigating multi-jurisdictional challenges.” Sources have also said that he “has been invaluable in navigating the complexities of emerging markets in Africa and the Middle East.” India Business Law Journal mentions that he is “highly regarded by Indian clients” and has named him to its “International A-List”, which recognises the top India-focussed lawyers at international firms. He is further recommended in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2024), where he has been described as “a brilliant M&A lawyer” and “highly accomplished and very innovative,” for his work in India. According to clients, he “provides practical, business-oriented advice in addition to an understanding [of] the legal complexities of emerging markets.

Mr. Burgess is the author of various articles in trade publications on European private equity and Russian transactional issues. He is the subject of an interview provided to the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association as part of its AVCA Member Interview Series (May, 2021). Mr. Burgess is also a member of the team that edited and contributed to “Environmental, Social & Governance,” the second edition of a publication in the Law Over Borders series published by Global Legal Post (April, 2025). Other recent publications include “Addressing ESG Considerations in the M&A Context,” GLI Mergers & Acquisitions 2025 (July, 2025); “Debevoise & Plimpton on the inherent obstacles of GP stakes investing,” Private Equity International (May, 2024); “Co-Investing Along-Side African PE Fund Managers – An Overview,” AVCA L&R (December, 2023); the European Union chapter in ESG Comparative Guide, published by Global Legal Post (March, 2023); “Debevoise & Plimpton on the growth of GP stakes,” Private Equity International (December, 2021); and “Foreign Direct Investment Rules in Selected European Countries: An Overview,” Journal of Investment Compliance (April, 2021).

Mr. Burgess is a regular speaker at the Fundraising Masterclasses held by the Emerging Market Private Equity Association, including delivering sessions in Mumbai and London. Other recent speaking engagements include “GP Led Secondaries: Developments in Structuring and Key Terms in 2024,” BVCA Secondaries Conference (March, 2025); “Examining GP Staking and Asset Management M&A Transactions,” BVCA Summit (September, 2024); “Co-Investment Trends and Best Practice in Emerging Markets,” Global Private Capital Association (November, 2023); “Bilateral Investment Treaties, Currency in M&A, and IPOs of African Corporates,” International Lawyers for Africa (September, 2022); “Optimising Exit Opportunities and Options for VCs and PE Firms,” Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (June, 2022); “Demystifying Minority Equity Investments in India,” Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Legal Information Series (January, 2022); “Introduction to ESG,” The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia Webcast (December, 2021); “The Latest on Mauritius and Other Regulatory Conditions Affecting Fundraising: Mauritius Update and Path Forward & Fund Domicile Alternative and EU Regulatory Considerations,” GPCA Africa Council Meeting (October, 2021); “Deal Management during the Pandemic,” EMPEA Global Private Equity Conference (May, 2021); “Private Equity and Healthcare in Africa,” AVCA 2021 Annual Conference (April 2021); “Preliminary Considerations and Transaction Structuring,” M&A Masterclass Series (February, 2021); “Managing & Resolving Shareholder Disputes,” Aarna Law/Debevoise & Plimpton LLP (October, 2020); “Cross Border M&A in Emerging Markets,” ALB Virtual In-House Legal Summit 2020 (October, 2020); “Learning from Practitioners: Practical Considerations for Securing LP Commitments from a DFI,” EMPEA Member Program (September, 2020); “CAMA 2020 and the Private Equity Industry,” Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Nigeria (PEVCA) and ÆLEX (September, 2020); “Overview of the COVID-Related Actions of the EU and Main State Assistance Measures Available to Employers in the UK,” A Primer on the Economic and Political Effects of COVID-19 on the EU and the UK (April, 2020); and “Uniting Against the Impacts of COVID-19: Legal Considerations,” Uniting Against the Impacts of COVID-19 (April, 2020).