The Global Elite Thought Leaders are those individuals who received the highest number of nominations from peers, corporate counsel and other market sources this year. Our research has identified them as truly outstanding practitioners and the very best in their field.

Who’s Who Legal does not list law firms, only individual lawyers. The leading firms are those in each region whose listed practitioners received the most total nominations in our research.

 

Formation

 

EMEA

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Kate Downey - Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, London
• Gilles Dusemon - Arendt & Medernach, Luxembourg
• Jason Glover - Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, London
• Nigel Hatfield – Clifford Chance LLP, London
• Geoffrey Kittredge – Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, London
• Mark Mifsud - Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, London
• Nigel van Zyl – Proskauer Rose LLP, London

 

Leading firms

Debevoise & Plimpton

Geoffrey Kittredge is an “extremely strong lawyer and a long-standing figure in the private funds market” who is “brilliant in complex deals” and “incredibly smart”.
Patricia Volhard ranks highly among peers who note she is well versed in structuring funds for pension funds and insurance companies.
Sally Gibson stands out as a “vastly knowledgeable and direct lawyer” who excels at advising big-name clients on the formation of real estate and buyout funds.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

Jason Glover is highly esteemed as “a rainmaker” and stands out as “one of the biggest names in UK funds”.
Gareth Earl earns praise as a “first-rate lawyer” who is “highly sought-after in the industry” for his broad investment funds expertise.
The “excellent” Seema Shah is “a fantastic all-rounder” who is “very sharp” and enjoys an “immaculate reputation” for her extensive experience advising big-name clients including Apax and CVC.

Proskauer Rose

Nigel van Zyl is a “truly phenomenal funds lawyer” who regularly advises fund managers on co-investment arrangements, spinouts and the full gamut of issues relating to the formation and maintenance of investment funds.
Warren Allan is touted for being “terrific on secondaries”, making him a go-to for the purchase and sale of portfolio interests.
Leith Moghli earns recognition for his strong fund formation practice which spans restructurings, acquisitions and secondary transactions of private equity, infrastructure, energy and debt funds.

Clifford Chance

Nigel Hatfield is renowned for the stellar advice he provides to managers and investors on the establishment of real estate, private equity and infrastructure funds.
Xavier Comaills is distinguished by his broad expertise spanning primary fundraising issues and complex secondary transactions.
Alexandra Davidson is a “truly superb lawyer” with an impressive track record negotiating high-value private fund acquisitions and rollovers.

Arendt & Medernach

Gilles Dusemon is an authority on alternative investment funds with extensive experience advising on private debt, venture capital, private equity and real estate funds.
Claude Kremer enjoys a “stellar reputation” among market sources for his in-depth knowledge of complex Luxembourg investment and pension funds.
Isabelle Lebbe is celebrated for her expertise in the transactional and tax aspects of investment funds, most notably relating to regulated funds.

Goodwin

Shawn D’Aguiar is an “exceptionally diligent, thoughtful and creative lawyer” who “never breaks under pressure”. He is recognised for his “superb understanding of the technical details across the private equity fund space”.
Ed Hall is “a true expert in this field” thanks to his “vast knowledge of fund structures and market trends”.
Michael Halford is revered for his broad funds practice encompassing incentive schemes, co-investment arrangements and the full range of investment funds.
Ajay Pathak is a go-to for the establishment and management of debt, infrastructure and real estate funds.

 

Other leading individuals

England

At Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, Mark Mifsud is an “influential figure in the market” with a “tremendously strong practice” which sees him regularly acting in large-scale transactions for private funds and debt managers.
Kate Downey is a “leading light” who is touted for her top-drawer advice on secondary acquisitions, private equity transactions and co-investment arrangements, as well as her “sterling work on the Women in Fund Finance Initiative”.

Duncan Woollard with Paul Hastings is highlighted for the breadth of his experience advising on fund restructurings, secondaries and distressed funds.

Richard Watkins at Kirkland & Ellis is a seasoned funds specialist who is “distinguished and highly reliable” when it comes to private equity fund structuring.
Anand Damodaran excels as a “dominant force in the credit funds space” where he is hailed as an “extremely high-quality operator”.

Alex Amos of Macfarlanes is a “leading figure” who is held in high esteem by sources thanks to his top-notch work on debt funds.

Gus Black at Dechert is noted for his broad expertise spanning the structuring and maintenance of private equity, real estate, debt and hedge funds.

Solomon Wifa at Willkie Farr & Gallagher garners plaudits for his “exceptional fund formation work in emerging markets”, from spinouts and joint ventures to investment deals and secondary transactions.

At Weil Gotshal & Manges, Edward Gander has more than 20 years of fundraising experience and is nominated for his extensive involvement in raising private equity funds.

Simon Witney of Travers Smith is “technically astute with a strong commercial understanding” and comes “highly commended for his fund formation and ESG expertise”.

France

Nathalie Duguay of Willkie Farr & Gallagher applies two decades of private equity fund formation experience to her stellar practice.

At Linklaters, Édouard Chapellier is highlighted for his “strong formation and tax law knowhow” which spans the full gamut of transactional matters including private equity and real estate investment.

Germany

Andreas Rodin with POELLATH impresses as “one of the most experienced PE lawyers in Germany” and is “excellent for fund structuring and tax-related matters pertaining to private equity funds”.

Israel

Maya Issacharov at Amit Pollak Matalon & Co is well versed in advising on the structuring and organisation of venture capital funds and is highly esteemed for her “extensive knowledge, business acumen and impressive understanding of tax implications”.

Luxembourg

At Loyens & Loeff, Marc Meyers is “the go-to for fund formation in Luxembourg” with an emphasis on private equity, real estate and debt funds.

Scotland

Alan Soppitt of Burness Paull is a long-standing figure in the market, who is “without a doubt the best funds lawyer in Scotland” thanks to his “strong experience on the formation side”.

Switzerland

Shelby du Pasquier at Lenz & Staehelin is an authority on financial law who regularly advises hedge funds and fund managers on the full spectrum of investment funds issues.
François Rayroux stands out as a top name in the Swiss market and regularly advises an array of financial institutions on asset management and investment opportunities.
Olivier Stahler is commended for his “vast knowledge of Swiss regulatory and financial law” which he applies to his top-drawer advice to domestic and international clients on the structuring of private equity and hedge funds.

Caroline Clemetson at Schellenberg Wittmer comes highly recommended for her encyclopaedic understanding of Swiss-regulated private fund structures.

 

North America

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Erica Berthou - Kirkland & Ellis LLP, New York
• Stephanie R Breslow - Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, New York
• Michael A Gerstenzang - Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, New York
• Marco V Masotti - Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York
• Rebecca F Silberstein - Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, New York
• Stephen M Vine – Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, New York

 

Leading firms

Schulte Roth & Zabel

The “excellent” Stephanie Breslow is a “market-leading lawyer” who focuses her first-rate practice on private equity and liquid-securities funds.
David Nissenbaum is “a brilliant funds lawyer” with an exemplary reputation for his work on hybrid and distressed funds.
Paul Roth is “one of the most experienced funds lawyers in the market” with a distinguished practice spanning more than 50 years.
With more than 25 years of experience, Christopher Hilditch stands out as an authority on the structuring and operation of hedge funds.

Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison

Marco Masotti “stands out as a leader at the bar” who has, over his illustrious career, raised billions of dollars for a broad range of real estate, growth capital, private equity and credit funds.
The “phenomenal” Udi Grofman gains widespread plaudits from peers who commend his unparalleled fund formation expertise.
Amran Hussein is “extremely thoughtful in her analyses and advice” according to impressed sources who highlight her top-tier work on credit funds, buyouts and growth equity funds.
Yvonne Chan is a “prominent funds lawyer” who earns recognition for her first-rate work on joint ventures and private equity investments in the US and China.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld

Stephen Vine is celebrated as “the father of hedge funds” and is singled out by sources as “extraordinarily good on tax issues”.
Kelli Moll garners praise for her “extensive experience working on innovative funds” and is lauded as a “careful, thoughtful and thorough attorney”.

Kirkland & Ellis

Erica Berthou is a “brilliant funds lawyer who is always vastly knowledgeable on the latest developments in the field” and is touted as “the market leader in NYC”.
Richard Robinson Jr regularly advises sponsors on buyouts, emerging markets funds and co-investment arrangements.
The “brilliant” Jordan Murray receives acclaim for the breadth of his experience advising sponsors on open and closed-ended funds including buyouts and restructurings.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

Thomas Bell is a “leading light in the funds space” with a wealth of high-profile clients including Morgan Stanley, CVC and The Carlyle Group.
Michael Wolitzer is highly sought-after by private equity funds thanks to his stellar track record for large-scale transactions.
Glenn Sarno receives effusive praise for his broad experience representing a wealth of high-profile fund sponsors in domestic and international transactions.

Proskauer Rose

Christopher Wells is “an absolute legend in the hedge funds and venture capital space” with three decades of experience in the field.
Sarah Cherry ranks highly among peers thanks to the first-rate counsel she delivers to funds and managers on primary and secondary transactions.

 

Other leading individuals

Canada

Ed Vandenberg of Osler Hoskin & Harcourt is “fantastic on the sponsor side of fund formation work” and is “extremely knowledgeable and pragmatic when it comes to resolving issues that cause divergence between investors and management”.

At McCarthy Tétrault, Sean Sadler excels at advising on the public and private offering of retail funds, hedge funds and closed-end funds.

Bernard Kwasniewski at Torys is lauded by sources as a “brilliant funds lawyer with an unrivalled understanding of the private equity landscape”.

At Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg, Sarbjit Basra is a “vastly knowledgeable lawyer” with a “wealth of experience negotiating fund formation deals”.
Sébastien Thériault is highly esteemed for his expertise in mergers and acquisitions in the private equity, venture capital and hedge funds space.

USA

With more than 25 years of experience, Rebecca Silberstein at Debevoise & Plimpton stands out as an “authority on fund formation” with a wealth of clients including Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse and Allianz.

At Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Michael Gerstenzang comes highly commended as a “renowned funds practitioner with extensive experience” across a wide range of investment vehicles.

Edward Sopher of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is celebrated for his broad expertise spanning private equity, credit, real estate and hedge funds.

Philip Harris with Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom is a “wonderful attorney” who “truly stands out as a senior professional in the market” thanks to his in-depth knowledge of domestic and international fund structures.

 

Offshore

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Emily Haithwaite – Ogier, St Helier
• Iain McMurdo - Maples Group, Grand Cayman
• Ben Morgan – Carey Olsen, St Peter Port
• Tim Morgan – Mourant Ozannes, St Helier
• Ingrid Pierce – Walkers, Grand Cayman
• Nick Rogers – Ogier, Grand Cayman

For the purposes of this editorial, the following jurisdictions are considered “offshore”: Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta and Mauritius. This definition is to enable the grouping of multi-jurisdiction offshore law firms who would otherwise have to be covered across multiple geographical regions.

 

Leading firms

Maples Group

Iain McMurdo is a distinguished lawyer renowned for his considerable experience advising clients on complex fund formation and maintenance.
Jon Fowler enjoys a strong reputation for his expansive knowledge of private equity and hedge fund formation.
Jonathan Green is looked upon with enormous favour by market sources for his thorough understanding of fund structures.
Peter Stapleton is a “brilliant problem solver” who is “dynamic, enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable”. He excels at structuring hedge funds, funds of funds and private equity funds.

Ogier

Nick Rogers stands out as a “pragmatic figure” who “really knows his stuff and closes deals tremendously well”. He is highly sought-after by hedge fund managers and private equity sponsors.
Emily Haithwaite is “exceptionally good” with extensive experience advising on sovereign wealth funds and Jersey funds.
Niamh Lalor is “the first choice in Jersey for the most complex matters” say sources, who commend her strong experience structuring private equity, venture capital and infrastructure funds.

Carey Olsen

Ben Morgan garners praise for the stellar advice he delivers to clients on the establishment of high-value investment funds.
Tom Carey is highlighted for his broad-ranging expertise spanning open-ended and closed-ended collective investment arrangements.
David Crosland is a long-standing figure who effectively navigates clients through the complexities of structuring private equity and listed funds.
Christopher Anderson is a “real superstar” who is “without a doubt the go-to funds lawyer in Guernsey”.

Mourant Ozannes

Tim Morgan is revered for his extensive experience establishing and structuring high-value private equity funds.
Darren Bacon is a “top-notch lawyer” who impresses with his profound knowledge of complex corporate transactions, and the structuring of listed and private funds.
Frances Watson applies more than 20 years of experience to her top-notch advice to clients on fund restructurings and corporate finance issues.

 

Other leading individuals

Cayman Islands

Ingrid Pierce at Walkers has a splendid reputation thanks to her “cutting-edge knowledge” and depth of experience in multi-billion-dollar transactions. Her “combination of extraordinary legal skills and pragmatism” make her an authority on fund formation.

Ireland

Dara Harrington at Arthur Cox garners plaudits as a “spectacular funds specialist” who regularly represents fund promoters, financial institutions and investment managers in high-value transactions.

 

Asia-Pacific

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Andrew M Ostrognai – Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, Hong Kong
• Laura Rogers – Walkers, Singapore
• Siddharth Shah – Khaitan & Co, Mumbai
• Arnold Tan – Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, Singapore
• Danny Tan – Ashurst LLP, Singapore
• Denise Wong – Walkers, Hong Kong

 

Leading firms

Walkers

Laura Rogers is “very highly sought after for her depth of knowledge” and is “one of the best Cayman funds lawyers in the business”.
Denise Wong is a leading light in fund formation in Hong Kong, noted for her expansive knowledge of offshore fund structures.
Thomas Granger is “terrific for Cayman matters” and has a “keen understanding of the funds industry and particularly the Japanese investment funds market”. He is “renowned for the impressive speed at which he completes mandates”.

Rajah & Tann

Arnold Tan stands out as a “vastly experienced funds lawyer” with “significant domestic experience, understanding and perception”. He is “excellent for hedge fund formation”.
Anne Yeo is distinguished by her “extensive knowledge and humble approach” as well as her “strong ability to navigate and advise on complex fund structures”.
Jasmine Chew is highly esteemed for her “excellent knowledge of Singapore laws relating to the management of private funds”.

Maples Group

Tom Katsaros regularly advises sponsors, financial institutions and start-up investment managers on the structuring of offshore hedge, joint venture and private equity funds.
Sharon Yap is a “wonderful collaborator” who excels at advising on the structuring and restructuring of the full range of investment funds.

Clifford Chance

“Standout name” Kai Schneider is a “pre-eminent funds practitioner” with unrivalled experience working on investment funds in the US market.
Mark Shipman is an “exceptional lawyer” with an “impressive analytical mind” which he applies to his first-rate advice on the establishment and structuring of private equity, real estate and hedge funds.

 

Leading individuals

Hong Kong

Andrew Ostrognai with Debevoise & Plimpton is a “prominent funds lawyer who excels across the Asian market”. His “unparalleled experience in the Greater China PE space” along with his “depth of experience and knowledge of the market” make him “extremely good at problem solving”.

John Fadely of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is “one of the smartest lawyers in the funds space” and a go-to lawyer for structuring buyout, venture capital and real estate funds in China and Japan.

Justin Dolling at Kirkland Ellis takes an “efficient, practical and no-nonsense approach to highly complex matters” pertaining to private equity investment funds and secondary transactions.

Adam Furber at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is revered for his fundraising expertise and has amassed a wealth of experience establishing multi-billion-dollar funds for big-name clients.

India

The “excellent” Siddharth Shah of Khaitan & Co is celebrated for his significant experience establishing domestic and offshore investment funds.

Nishith Desai at Nishith Desai Associates is a well-established name in the field with extensive experience advising on the tax aspects of complex private equity transactions.

Shefali Goradia at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India provides “brilliant tax advice along with an impressive level of knowledge of fund formation”.

At IC Universal Legal, Tejesh Chitlangi is noted for his “thorough understanding of the business and legal aspects”, as well as his “go-getter attitude” and “vast knowledge of Indian funds laws”.

Japan

Koji Yamamoto at Withers Bengoshi Houjin is singled out for his “exceptional combination of in-depth regulatory knowledge and fund formation experience”.

Nishimura & Asahi’s Kei Ito is a “truly wonderful lawyer” who advises a broad range of clients on domestic, cross-border and offshore funds transactions.

Singapore

Danny Tan of Ashurst is “highly responsive and solutions driven” and a “go-to lawyer for licensing private equity and venture capital deals”.

Dean Collins at Dechert has an “extremely strong presence in the market” and is rated as an “excellent lawyer for closed-end fund formation”.

At Morgan Lewis Stamford, Joel Seow is “brilliant in the hedge funds space” and “provides timely advice along with a thorough approach”.

 

Regulatory

 

EMEA

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Phil Bartram - Travers Smith LLP, London
• Stephanie Biggs - Travers Smith LLP, London
• Lisa Cawley - Kirkland & Ellis International LLP, London
• Gilles Dusemon – Arendt & Medernach, Luxembourg
• Leonard Ng – Sidley Austin LLP, London
• Olivier Stahler – Lenz & Staehelin, Geneva

 

Leading firms

Travers Smith

Phil Bartram is highly thought of among sources who distinguished him as “one of the very top experts on private funds regulations in the world”.
The “excellent” Stephanie Biggs is “technically superb” and a market-leading authority on the regulatory aspects of alternative investment funds.
Jane Tuckley is celebrated for her long-standing and illustrious career handling complex regulatory change projects for a broad range of clients in the funds space.

Elvinger Hoss Prussen

Jacques Elvinger is the “father of Luxembourg funds” with an incredible amount of experience advising on collective investment arrangements and pension funds.
Jérôme Wigny applies his in-depth understanding of Luxembourg regulations to complex collective investment undertakings and alternative investment funds.
Thibaut Partsch is held in high esteem for the first-rate advice he delivers to clients on private equity and real estate funds.

 

Other leading individuals

England

Leonard Ng at Sidley Austin is “simply brilliant” and “tremendously smart”. He is hailed as “a go-to hedge fund specialist”.

At Kirkland & Ellis, Lisa Cawley enjoys a “wealth of experience as a terrific regulatory lawyer” and is lauded for her “extensive knowledge and pragmatism” as well as her “strong ability to apply particular regulations to complicated circumstances to benefit her clients”.

Owen Lysak with Clifford Chance is singled out by sources as “phenomenal for financial services regulation from the UK into Ireland”.

Neil Robson of Katten Muchin Rosenman is highlighted for his “exceptional and concise advice” and “tremendous amount of experience in the private funds’ regulatory space”. Sources add he is “a strong negotiator, effective communicator and a sharp analytical mind”.

Darren Fox at Simmons & Simmons stands out as “the go-to hedge funds regulatory lawyer” with an immaculate reputation in the European market.

Gregg Beechey with Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson regularly navigates clients in the financial services industry through complex regulatory issues relating to alternative investment funds.

With more than 25 years of experience, Philip Morgan at K&L Gates is an authority on FCA and EU regulations relating to investment funds.

Luxembourg

Gilles Dusemon with Arendt & Medernach receives acclaim for his encyclopaedic knowledge of Luxembourg regulations pertaining to alternative investment funds.

Switzerland

At Lenz & Staehelin, Olivier Stahler “combines an extremely high level of technical knowledge with strong business acumen” and impresses clients with his “deep understanding of Swiss regulations”.
François Rayroux ranks as “one of the best in Zurich” and is lauded for his asset and fund management expertise.

 

The Americas

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Barry P Barbash - Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, Washington DC
• Kenneth J Berman – Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, Washington DC
• Philip H Harris - Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, New York

 

Leading firms

Debevoise & Plimpton

Kenneth Berman provides top-drawer regulatory advice to a broad range of investment managers and sponsors and has a stellar track record for his work on high-value transactions.
Jonathan Adler is “highly knowledgeable, driven and pragmatic”. His private funds advice is highly sought-after in the US and in emerging markets.

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom

Philip Harris is “brilliant for fund regulations” and excels at fund structuring, governance and crisis management.
Richard Prins is a seasoned lawyer with a strong reputation for his impressive financial services regulatory knowhow.

 

Other leading individuals

Brazil

Ana Cecília Manente of Levy & Salomão Advogados is an “excellent private funds lawyer” with extensive experience in regulatory compliance relating to the structuring of funds and M&A deals.

Canada

Alix d’Anglejan-Chatillon with Stikeman Elliott is lauded as “among the most accomplished and knowledgeable lawyers on the complex regulatory aspects of private funds”.

USA

Barry Barbash at Willkie Farr & Gallagher is a “top-class funds practitioner whom clients rely on for regulatory matters” thanks to his 35-plus years of experience in asset management.

Independent practitioner Yukako Kawata enjoys a “spectacular reputation” as a “luminary in the funds industry” with a wealth of funds and sponsors seeking her top-notch regulatory advice.

 

Offshore

For the purposes of this editorial, the following jurisdictions are considered “offshore”: Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta and Mauritius. This definition is to enable the grouping of multi-jurisdiction offshore law firms who would otherwise have to be covered across multiple geographical regions.

 

Leading individuals

Cayman Islands

Lucy Frew with Walkers has amassed more than 20 years of financial regulatory experience and is revered among domestic and international banks, investment funds and managers.

Ireland

Peter Stapleton of Maples Group is renowned for his profound knowledge of alternative investment funds and UCITS as well as his expertise in ESG regulations.

Jersey

Emily Haithwaite at Ogier is highly sought-after by international clients for regulatory advice relating to Jersey funds.

 

Asia-Pacific

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Lena Ng – Clifford Chance, Singapore

 

Leading individuals

Hong Kong

With more than 35 years of experience in financial services law, Rory Gallaher of Deacons stands out as an authority on the licensing, regulatory and compliance issues related to hedge funds.

Singapore

Lena Ng with Clifford Chance has a “deep understanding of the conflict between global regulations and fragmented regulations in Asia”. She “maintains excellent client relations” and is “one of the most active practitioners contributing ideas in the funds regulatory space”.

Arnold Tan at Rajah & Tann is a splendid lawyer with an “immaculate understanding of Singaporean regulatory requirements” when it comes to establishing and managing investment funds.