LAWYER PROFILE
Elizabeth Lenas

Elizabeth Lenas

USA 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

USA

Practice Areas

Elizabeth (Liza) Lenas is a member of Cleary Gottlieb's Executive Committee and the Leader of the firm's Global Private Funds Group, where she advises many of the world's most sophisticated alternative asset managers on complex fund formation and investment strategies.

Her practice spans the full lifecycle of private funds, with deep experience in fund formation, co-investments, consortium transactions, large-scale acquisitions, spin-offs, joint ventures, shareholding arrangements, managed accounts, and other strategic transactions. Liza represents sponsors across asset classes—including private equity, credit, venture, impact, and growth—and has been at the forefront of developing some of the industry's most innovative investment vehicles, including one of the largest evergreen funds ever raised.

She also counsels limited partners on their fund commitments and investments and has significant experience navigating clients through high-stakes disputes and sensitive investment-related controversies.

Liza's clients include leading firms such as Sixth Street, Sequoia Capital, KKR, Hillhouse, TPG, and Cascade Asset Management Company.

In addition to her client work, Liza is deeply committed to public service and serves as New York Co-Chair of Cleary Gottlieb's U.S. Pro Bono Committee.

Career

Became partner, 2013; Member of the Executive Committee; Leader of Global Private Funds Group; Co-Chair of U.S. Pro Bono Committee New York.

J.D., James Kent Scholar, Columbia University School of Law; B.A., University Scholar, New York University.

Professional Memberships

Member of the New York Bar

Organizing Committee and Speaker (2023-2026), IBA Annual International Conference on Private Investment Funds

Member, Co-Chair (2020-2021), Private Investment Fund Forum

Member (2011-2013), Committee on Private Investment Funds, Bar Association of the City of New York

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Private Equity: Fund Formation - USA - Nationwide

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial
Elizabeth Lenas is highly regarded for her experience in the fund raising and closing of buyout, credit and growth funds. Her clients are primarily fund sponsors and include those establishing some of the nation's largest funds.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Elizabeth really cares about client relationships.

    Private Equity: Fund FormationChambers Guide to the USA
  • Elizabeth has institutional knowledge and is very creative.

    Private Equity: Fund FormationChambers Guide to the USA

Ranked Individuals at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (119)

California

California: Northern

California: San Francisco, Silicon Valley & Surrou

District of Columbia

New York

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