Private Equity: Fund Formation | USA

Debevoise & Plimpton is in an elite category of private fund practices with a considerable global footprint and an extensive client base of top-tier private equity sponsors. Represents all manner of private equity businesses, including some of the largest debt fund managers. Noted activity in the representation of secondary funds in connection with transactions and fundraisings. Active in all types of investment strategies including buyout, distressed and credit, real estate and infrastructure funds.

Fried, Frank, Harris continues to attract high caliber sponsors in the real estate, energy, credit and buyout spaces. Valued for the breadth of its fund formation expertise, including infrastructure and growth funds. Able to offer its expanding client base an integrated service, working closely with its practices in tax, regulatory and employee benefits. Also noted for its strength in cross-border matters.

Kirkland & Ellis boasts an impressively deep group of private funds specialists noted for its handling of a large volume of fundraisings for prominent high end and mid-market sponsors. A global footprint ensures that it is well equipped to take on sophisticated matters involving buyout funds and real estate funds. Additional expertise in handling significant secondary transactions. Noted for its experience of working with a wide array of investors as part of a global platform.

Paul, Weiss has a strong private equity practice counseling elite private equity fund managers on some of the biggest fundraisings in the market. Highly regarded for its experienced structuring of high-end formations, encompassing buyout, distressed and credit funds, among others. Has strong track record in working with global investors.

Simpson Thacher is a prospering private equity practice with comprehensive expertise that spans traditional buyout funds and alternative assets, including real estate, distressed debt and credit. Unparalleled track record representing some of the largest private equity sponsors in mega fundraisings. Expertise in financial services, infrastructure and energy funds.

Cleary Gottlieb has deep expertise structuring private equity funds and alternative investment products that are offered in the USA, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Likewise proficient in counseling limited partners on their investments in private equity, hedge and real estate assets. Also noted for its advice on strategic minority investments to fund managers. Experienced in the formation of a range of private funds including credit and special situations funds.

Goodwin has a respected asset management practice, which encompasses an assortment of private investment products, including private equity, venture capital and real estate funds. Acts for a diverse client base of domestic and international funds of varying sizes. Valued for its advice across structuring, management and compliance issues.

The Latham & Watkins team is expert in structuring all manner of private equity funds, with notable strengths pertaining to energy, power and infrastructure-focused vehicles. Trusted advisers to private equity sponsors long after the fund formation process, assisting with ongoing compliance, M&A and other corporate issues. Continues to enjoy success in attracting a number of major new clients across the USA, with notable depth in credit and debt funds.

Proskauer Rose is an established name in the private equity funds market that is especially lauded for its work on behalf of sponsors, advising on transactions and fund formations which touch a broad range of industries. Boasts equal capabilities in buyout funds as those formed to invest in early-stage businesses. Strong international showing, with a noted presence in matters involving the European and Asian markets.

The Ropes & Gray team is well known for its excellent representation of sizable sponsor-side clients in a variety of private equity fund formations including buyout and growth capital funds. Proven track record structuring private equity vehicles such as real estate and credit funds.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges is a choice destination for midmarket sponsors and larger asset managers seeking to raise mega private equity funds. Valued for its wide experience advising on the structuring of a variety of funds. Expertise devising a plethora of innovative private structures that span a diverse range of targets, from buyouts to real estate and infrastructure. A strong global practice enables the team to act for both US and foreign-based sponsors.

Akin Gump counts a number of dominant investors and sponsors among its longstanding clientele and is noted for its acute insight into emerging market investment trends. Additionally able to assist fund managers with tax structures. Provides vital market perspective gained from representing investors in private equity and hedge vehicles.

Cooley distinguishes itself as primary fund counsel to innumerable funds within the ambit of venture capital, ranging from preeminent market players to up-and-coming managers. Able to advise on an array of fund formation operations, including evergreen, growth equity and funds of funds, in sectors such as technology, healthcare and social media. Capable of representing fund managers on a global scale.

Davis Polk has a well-respected practice with notable experience of advising both sponsors and funds. Fields an experienced group of practitioners with longstanding practices in the market, combined with a stellar reputation in the related financial services sector. Noted for its track record of forming highly focused funds, including those investing in particular sectors or secondary fund interests.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher offers comprehensive services to fund managers, sponsors and investors in connection with fund formation and operational matters. Receives a high influx of secondaries mandates and is regularly called upon to assist with SEC enforcement matters. Advises in connection with multiple asset classes, including buyout, real estate and growth capital. Added strength in infrastructure, credit, secondary and co-investment funds.

Gunderson Dettmer displays dominance throughout the North American and Chinese venture capital fund formation markets. Dedicated to the support of emerging technology and venture capital matters around the world.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher draws on resources in the firm's wider asset management team to provide comprehensive regulatory compliance and fund formation guidance to private equity fund managers large and small. Also retains an exclusive client roster of institutional investors and continues to attract new and diverse clients. Noted strength in the areas of energy and real estate funds.

Clifford Chance boasts a prominent team in the space. Its practitioners are routinely called upon to provide counsel on the formation of a range of funds, including secondaries funds, real estate funds and credit funds. The team has additional experience of handling restructurings and SEC enforcement issues.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost's team is held in high regard for its strength in handling issues throughout the lifecycle of a fund, right from formation through to investment processes. The team has extensive experience of providing counsel on the formation of a range of funds, including ESG funds, funds-of-funds and venture capital funds. The practitioners are also adept at providing counsel on regulatory compliance.

Dechert draws strength from its international presence to assist clients on a series of complex fund formations. The team has considerable strength in representing sponsors in the space. The practitioners are adept at providing counsel on the formation of buyout funds, close-end funds and funds-of-funds. The group is also routinely called upon to advise clients on private credit and venture capital funds.

DLA Piper is a notably deep team able to call on fund formation experts across the country and internationally. Specific areas of strength include providing counsel on the structuring and formation of real estate and credit funds.

Hogan Lovells' team demonstrates it's ability to advise clients on the formation of a wide spectrum of funds, including buyout and debt funds. The team has notable strength in advising clients in the real estate, healthcare and energy sectors. It has a significant client base consisting of sponsors and institutional investors, although its recognized for its high quality work on behalf of SBIC licensees and applicants. The practitioners also have extensive experience in handling issues in the secondaries space.

Linklaters has a broad team of practitioners known for its extensive work across the private equity space. The team is able to advise on a number of transactional issues including fund formation, mergers and acquisitions as well as regulatory and compliance matters. Linklaters boasts the capability to handle complex cross-border matters often involving European and Asia-based clients. The team frequently supports clients on equity, debt and growth opportunity funds.

Mayer Brown has a strong fund formation team that is held in high regard throughout the space. Its practitioners regularly advise clients on matters related to real estate, credit and insurance funds. The group has further experience of providing counsel on structuring and regulatory issues arising from the formation and financing of funds.

McDermott Will & Emery is well regarded throughout the market for its ability to handle matters related to various funds, including real estate, secondary and buyout funds. The team has considerable experience of assisting on formations related to the healthcare space. Its practitioners are routinely called upon to handle fundraises on behalf of sponsors.

Morrison Foerster boasts considerable strength in assisting clients with the formation of venture capital and private equity funds. The groups clients include high profile institutional investors and sponsors. The practitioners have notable experience of handling the formation of infrastructure, real estate and credit funds, among others.

Paul Hastings is recognized for its robust private equity team. The team regularly works on the formation, opening and closing of a range of highly valued fund types. The team is able to assist clients with cross-border matters and funds, including Europe and Asia-based funds. Its practitioners frequently support clients on both debt and equity funds. The group has significant experience advising in relation to real estate funds.

Schulte Roth & Zabel boasts a highly respected private equity group working in tandem with the firm's market-leading hedge funds practice to provide a seamless private funds offering. Particularly strong real estate funds offering with experience advising on the formation of highly focused vehicles in terms of jurisdiction and asset class. Similarly strong in the structuring of direct lending funds.

Sidley Austin's team is renowned for its ability to provide counsel on the formation of funds across an array of sectors, including mining, aviation and energy. The group also boasts strong cross-border capabilities. The practitioners a have notable experience of assisting on the formation of secondary and buyout funds.

The Skadden Arps team is adept at advising on a plethora of funds including buyout funds, funds of funds and sector-specific vehicles. Strong global presence allows the team to provide counsel on complex matters involving cross-border elements, such as master-feeder structures, funds of one and parallel fund structures.

Winston & Strawn boasts a well-respected practice combining strength in traditional buyout funds, with deep expertise in innovative strategies. Especially capable in the area of credit funds and special situations funds, with a track record of handling formations involving multiple jurisdictions.