Heather Cruz

Heather Cruz is the head of Skadden's New York office. She represents U.S. and non-U.S. investment advisers in connection with the structuring and distribution of private investment products, including private equity funds, venture capital funds, multi- and single-strategy hedge funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds, credit and distressed debt funds, as well as fund of funds. She also advises clients on the establishment, operation and sale of investment adviser and broker-dealer businesses.

With respect to private investment funds, Ms. Cruz advises clients on a broad spectrum of legal issues and considerations relating to the establishment and operation of private investment funds marketed and operated on a global basis, including compensation and carry arrangements. She also represents institutional investors seeking to invest in private investment funds and in investment advisers.

In addition, Ms. Cruz has extensive experience providing regulatory advice to broker-dealers and investment advisers, including regarding compliance with various aspects of the U.S. Investment Advisers Act, the U.S. Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations of FINRA and the Dodd-Frank Act, with a particular focus on the Volcker Rule.

Member, Private Investment Funds Forum

Ms. Cruz's recent publications include: "A Practical Guide to Interpreting the New SEC Private Fund Adviser Rules" (Skadden Publication, September 14, 2023); "SEC Private Fund Rules – Applicability and Compliance Deadlines" (Skadden Publication, August 29, 2023); "SEC Adopts Final Private Fund Adviser Rules" (Skadden Publication, August 23, 2023); "Takeaways From SEC Staff's Latest Reg BI Expansion" (Law360, May 3, 2023).

Ms. Cruz also contributed to Chambers Global Practice Guide: Fintech (Law and Practice - USA) (2021)

In addition to Chambers Global and Chambers USA, Ms. Cruz has been named in Legal Media Group’s Guide to the World’s Leading Investment Management Lawyers and Women in Business Law, The Best Lawyers in America and as a worldwide leading lawyer in Euromoney Institutional Investor’s 2015 Banking Finance and Transactional Expert Guide.