Houlihan Lokey hired Michael Schwartz as a managing director in its capital markets group. Based in New York, Schwartz will support the firm’s private capital financing efforts across all industry verticals.

Schwartz joined Houlihan Lokey following seven years at Lazard, where he most recently was a managing director and head of the private financing group, focusing on executing capital raises for private equity and other privately owned clients of Lazard. Prior to Lazard, he was a managing director in the debt capital markets group at Cowen and Company.

“We are thrilled to be adding an individual of Michael’s caliber to our capital markets team,” Anthony Martino, managing director and global co-head of Houlihan Lokey’s capital markets group, said. “Michael’s background and deep, longstanding client relationships fit seamlessly with our team, and his addition underscores our deep commitment to delivering successful outcomes to our clients around the world.”

“The explosive growth in private capital over the past several years has opened up new opportunities for clients to access flexible, bespoke solutions to their financing needs, and Houlihan Lokey’s capital markets group has been at the forefront of this trend, growing its expertise and track record of success in line with the market,” Schwartz said. “I am excited to begin working alongside my colleagues and continue to deliver the highest level of service to our global client base.”

Schwartz’s hire follows the recent additions of Brent Shepherd and Michael Hommeyer to Houlihan Lokey’s capital markets team, who also joined as managing directors.