Silke Bernard

Practice Areas

Silke is a Partner and Global Head of Linklaters’ Investment Funds Practice. Silke specialises in alternative investment funds and is the key contact for some of the largest global fund sponsors in private markets.

Her practice covers the full range of investment funds including retail and professional funds, with special expertise in alternative investment funds such as private equity, real estate, private credit and other alternative asset funds and investment management arrangements. Silke has been the counsel for several ground-breaking deals for some of the largest asset managers. Her practice includes the structuring, establishment and regulation of funds and asset management businesses, including the setting-up of co-investment structures, tailored managed accounts e.g. for sovereign investors and regulatory work (e.g. licensing and passporting procedures) in the asset management sphere. Silke covers all types of diversified, regulated, unregulated and tailored investment structures including beyond a typical fund set-up.

In addition, Silke has developed extensive experience in the field of sustainable finance and advises our clients on sustainable finance disclosures and taxonomy. Silke is also advising clients on the structuring of impact and sustainable funds and on how to capture new opportunities arising in the new era of ESG friendly investments.

Besides her alternatives business Silke further has deep knowledge of retail investor funds (UCITS and UCIs) and is the legal counsel to a number of flagship funds distributed by some of the biggest asset managers around the world.