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Dechert LLP

Investment Funds: Hedge Funds

Europe Guide 2026 : UK

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Dechert LLP

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About

Provided by Dechert LLP

Dechert operates one of the largest financial services practices in London. Our top-ranked team forms a critical part of the firm’s global Financial Services Group, which spans the leading financial hubs of Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.

Investment management boutiques and financial-services giants benefit from our “jurisdiction-neutral” advice that blends local experience with know-how on a global scale. Our advice covers retail and institutional products for all asset classes, strategies and structures, from equity and fixed income to credit, commodities and derivatives.

At the forefront of regulatory changes, our advice on global legislative initiatives is always forward-looking and results-focused. Our “one-stop shop” for investment funds is consistently top-tiered in the hedge funds space.

Moreover, while our English and U.S.-qualified lawyers provide on-the-spot advice on English and U.S. matters from a single platform, we are the only law firm able to source in-house advice in every leading investment fund jurisdiction in Europe.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Investment Funds: Hedge Funds - UK

Band 2

What the Team is Known For
Dechert is a respected player in the alternative asset management space and a well-established and active participant in the hedge fund area for both startups and large institutional clients. The firm has global capability, with experience advising on fundraising across the USA, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The team provides comprehensive compliance and regulatory expertise, as well as regional expertise through its offices in Ireland and Luxembourg.
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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They have a very strong team, which is great because they manage to deliver work well and on time.

    Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

  • The quality, depth and breadth of the team means that they can handle truly complex matters.

    Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

  • Dechert are always communicating. They provide extremely good client service at all levels, from partner to trainee.

    Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

  • They are very client-focused. Their partners are very commercial and help you meet your commercial objectives. They are prompt in their responses.

    Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

  • Dechert's strengths include their senior-level support and fast responses. They also act like a true partner to us.

    Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Abigail Bell
    Abigail Bell

    Abigail Bell

    Abigail Bell is sought out by established hedge funds managers as well as startups, thanks to the depth of her experience in the space.

    • She has a very broad funds practice and is extremely hard-working.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Her ability to support us, provide excellent advice and deliver on tight timeline projects while remaining very calm is highly valued.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Abigail is very commercial and proactive in finding solutions.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Abigail is an excellent partner to work with and well respected throughout the hedge fund community.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope
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  • Craig Borthwick
    Craig Borthwick

    Craig Borthwick

    Craig Borthwick is noted for his expertise in a range of hedge fund matters, including spinouts, fund launches and fundraising.

    • No matter what he's advising on, Craig brings excellent solutions and advice to every engagement. He’s an invaluable partner.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Craig is superb on all types of hedge funds and he punches above his weight.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Craig has been invaluable to us from a commercial and practical perspective. I can't recommend him highly enough.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Craig is very solutions-oriented, pragmatic and creative.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Craig is a highly experienced lawyer who is very approachable.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope
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  • Samuel Kay
    Samuel Kay

    Samuel Kay

    Samuel Kay focuses on the formation of private equity funds. He has a broad practice within that space, assisting clients with funds dealing in a range of strategies.

    • He is very experienced and he takes a commercial approach.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Samuel Kay is a deep thinker who lets his team grow under him but remains fully in control.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Samuel Kay is a very experienced partner and very helpful.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Samuel Kay is very experienced, very thoughtful and solution-oriented. He strikes a good balance between being technical and commercial.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope
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  • Gus Black
    Gus Black

    Gus Black

    Gus Black has a practice that covers a range of private funds, with private equity and credit funds falling within his expertise. He works with leading clients on a full range of matters, including fund restructuring.

    • I think that Gus Black is absolutely best in class and it's as simple as that.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Gus Black is an extremely commercial lawyer and a trusted business partner.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope
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  • Mikhaelle Schiappacasse
    Mikhaelle Schiappacasse

    Mikhaelle Schiappacasse

    Mikhaelle Schiappacasse assists clients with a diverse array of fund matters, including launches, structurings and regulatory developments. She also has experience winding up funds.

    • Mikhaelle works very hard and gives good advice. She is also skilled at having potentially sensitive and difficult conversations with investors.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Mikhaelle is exceptional and we have a lot of trust in her ability to deliver and give good advice.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • She is technically very sound and has a very constructive and friendly manner.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Mikhaelle has always been very practical, checking in and managing the overall relationship. She is great at making introductions.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope
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  • Matthew Duxbury
    Matthew Duxbury

    Matthew Duxbury

    Matthew Duxbury is a well-regarded associate who is recognised for his expertise in the formation and structuring of both private equity and credit funds.

    • Matthew always has one eye on the bigger picture, while the other is closely paying attention to the details. I always feel in very good hands and don't have to be worrying about what has been missed.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Matthew Duxbury acts beyond his years in his understanding of client needs and working relationships.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope

    • Matthew is always available, pragmatic and follows up with emails. We never have to prompt him. He's very efficient and is always looking for solutions to our problems.

      Investment Funds: Hedge Funds respondentEurope
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Ranked Individuals at Dechert LLP (6)

UK

Members

Provided by Dechert LLP

Dechert LLP has rankings in the following guides

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