Hedge Funds | USA

The team at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson focuses its practice on advising asset managers in connection with the full range of matters including fund formation, fund seeding and M&A. The firm commands a strong awareness of the hedge fund regulatory landscape and current market trends, giving clients an edge in a highly competitive market. It advises on the formation and operation of funds investing in a range of assets, including secondary interests, corporate bonds and distressed companies.

McDermott Will & Schulte is at the forefront of both the domestic and international hedge fund markets, counseling the most prolific funds in connection with all regulatory compliance concerns. The firm benefits from a long history at the forefront of the hedge fund industry, and is able to provide comprehensive counsel throughout every stage of fund formation and maintenance. It is experienced in dealing with the full range of funds, including credit, distressed, lending and commodities funds.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison demonstrates high-quality counsel for sophisticated sponsors and fund managers in the structuring and formation of novel hedge products, with significant expertise in seed capital arrangements. The team is well versed in a comprehensive array of hedge and hybrid fund types and structures, as well as risk management, crisis and compliance issues. It possesses strength in the handling of capital market and credit transactions.

The Ropes & Gray team draws upon experience working with both promising startups and the largest domestic and global hedge fund entities, as well as offering familiarity with the domains of commodities and derivatives. The team is well versed in a plethora of transactional concerns, such as acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures and cross-border investments. It is noted for its offering in the credit funds space and related experience in direct lending.

Sidley Austin boasts a masterful hedge funds practice serving the most prominent funds and managers worldwide, and providing critical advisory capabilities across the fields of securities, derivatives, fund formation and regulations. It offers an increasingly global spread of resources and familiarity with regulatory procedures in a number of jurisdictions. The team boasts a broad practice consisting of tax and litigation partners with particular expertise in hedge funds.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius brings to bear global resources to counsel fund managers, broker-dealers and institutional investors on fund formation, securities and corporate matters, with additional strength in the securities regulatory enforcement space. The firm provides counsel on a global scale throughout the process of fund development. It is experienced in crossover, master-feeder, customized and captive funds.

Proskauer Rose handles a comprehensive spectrum of fund formation, litigation, restructuring, compliance and trading concerns for both institutional investors and hedge fund managers. The firm displays a critical affinity for the tax-efficient structuring of funds both domestically and beyond the USA. It offers expertise across the regulatory sphere, including SEC and CFTC registration.

Seward & Kissel is noted for its representation of both large players and startup operations, handling a variety of work from fund formation to federal compliance, restructuring and other corporate matters. It is adept at handling all regulatory issues affecting asset managers and valued for its ability to handle tax, ERISA and related litigation.

The Akin team is adept in acting for fledgling startups and multibillion-dollar hedge and private equity investment vehicles alike, guiding funds through Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) issues, and fund managers through SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulations. It brings to bear additional assets in key markets around the world, including Hong Kong, London and Singapore.

David Polk & Wardwell provides strong capabilities across the hedge funds space, with a critical affinity for compliance and internal investigations, as well as seamlessly integrated broker-dealer, ERISA and tax practices. The team is adept in overseeing fund registration and structuring, as well as regulatory compliance matters, for both offshore and domestic funds. It regularly works with credit and distressed securities funds.

Katten boasts a polycentric team with experienced hedge funds lawyers in the firm's New York and Chicago offices. It is retained for ongoing operational advice by numerous asset managers, also boasting an excellent track record in fund launches and investment platform establishment.

Lowenstein Sandler is a notable investment funds player with an established practice assisting significant clients in the hedge fund space. It offers expertise in the formation of debt funds, funds of funds and other pooled investment vehicles. The team has considerable experience of handling matters involving multiple jurisdictions.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher possesses substantial experience of advising on a broad spectrum of transactional issues within the hedge funds market. They boast experience in launching funds of all structure types, including hybrid funds and funds linked with vehicles in other jurisdictions.

Cole-Frieman & Mallon is held in high regard for its expertise in hedge funds. The law firm advises start-up and established investment managers across a plethora of transactions and fund formations. The team has particular expertise in cryptocurrency and digital assets.

Kleinberg, Kaplan, Wolff & Cohen brings to bear extensive experience in the field of private investment funds, having counseled innumerable high-profile domestic and international fund managers on an extensive spectrum of concerns. The team works with funds of all sizes, tackling issues from formation and compliance to employment and tax. It covers a variety of hedge funds including those dedicated to insurance and those investing in the technology and media sectors.

Paul Hastings has a well-respected practice with a strong team of practitioners in the hedge fund space. It draws on its global presence to advise on restructuring, high-value launches and formations. The team is frequently sought to advise on the structuring of funds pursuing innovative and esoteric strategies.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is renowned for its expertise in the investment management space. The law firm advises sponsors and investors from fund formation to M&A. The team also has expertise in cross-border matters.