ERISA Lawyers

31 fund lawyers at 17 firms have bios that show a focus on ERISA and plan assets.

Everyone here is listed from their firm’s own bio page, and nobody pays to be listed or to rank. Last verified Oct 23–24, 2026. How we check

Partners: 31; all at partner level
Firms: 17
Most partners: Kirkland & Ellis; 6 listed here
Biggest city: New York; 14 here

Fund lawyers

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Chair, head or managing partner1
Partner or principal30

Under 10 years1
10 to 20 years7
20 years or more14

GPs and Sponsors17
LPs and Investors6

Counting everyone…

					Primary practice			Prior firms
Michael J. Albano	Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation	–	25 yrs	Georgetown, Duke	–
Amanda J. Albert	WilmerHale	Partner	New York, NY	Private equity funds	–	19 yrs	Hofstra University, Drew University	–
Conrad C Axelrod	King & Spalding	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private equity funds +6	Real estate funds	–	Humboldt University of Berlin Faculty of Law, University of Tasmania	–
Ira G. Bogner	Proskauer Rose	Managing Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private equity funds +3	–	–	Fordham, Brandeis University	–
Addison Braendel	Baker McKenzie	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +7	Fund formation	34 yrs	University of Chicago, Temple University	–
Theodore Brown	Kirkland & Ellis	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +3	Fund formation	7 yrs	University of Minnesota, University of Iowa	–
Ruth E. Delaney	K&L Gates	Partner	Los Angeles, CA	Fund formation, Hedge funds +1	Hedge funds	18 yrs	Chapman University, University of Southern California	–
Brian Diamond	Hogan Lovells Cadwalader	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private credit funds +2	Real estate funds	44 yrs	Brooklyn Law School, Stony Brook University	–
Beth J. Dickstein	Sidley Austin	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +2	–	38 yrs	University of Pennsylvania, University of Illinois	–
Sarah Downie	Weil, Gotshal & Manges	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	–	31 yrs	Osgoode Hall Law School	–
Elizabeth Dyer	Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private equity funds +6	–	–	DePaul University, Kenyon College	–
Sabrina C. Glaser	Kirkland & Ellis	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private equity funds +6	Fund formation	20 yrs	Yale, University of Delaware	Ropes & Gray
Timothy J. Goodwin	King & Spalding	Partner	Atlanta, GA	Fund formation, Real estate funds	Real estate funds	–	Emory University, Boston College	–
Amy Gordon	Winston Taylor	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation	–	35 yrs	Hofstra University, Pennsylvania State University	Prudential Financial, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration
Erika Gosker	Mayer Brown	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Real estate funds	Real estate funds	–	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of	–
Philip S. Gross	Kleinberg Kaplan Wolff & Cohen	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private equity funds +3	Fund tax	40 yrs	NYU, Vanderbilt +1	–
Lindsay B. Jackson	Morgan, Lewis & Bockius	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Private equity funds, Hedge funds +1	Funds regulatory	19 yrs	Georgetown, Haverford College	–
Chris M. Kang	Haynes and Boone	Partner	Dallas, TX	Fund formation, Fund finance +1	–	19 yrs	Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University	–
Daniel R. Kleinman	Morgan, Lewis & Bockius	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Private equity funds, Hedge funds +2	–	29 yrs	Georgetown, NYU +1	–
Ian L. Levin	McDermott Will & Schulte	Partner	New York, NY +1	Fund formation, Private equity funds +1	–	–	NYU, Emory University +1	–
Alan M. Levine	Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private equity funds	–	30 yrs	NYU, Fordham +1	–
Joseph A. Lifsics	Kirkland & Ellis	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Venture funds	–	13 yrs	Chicago-Kent College of Law	Mayer Brown
Christine S. Matott	Kirkland & Ellis	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +4	Fund formation	20 yrs	DePaul University, University of Chicago	–
Patrick S. Menasco	Goodwin Procter	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Private equity funds +2	–	32 yrs	Tulane University	–
David Olstein	Hogan Lovells Cadwalader	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation	–	–	University of Virginia, Johns Hopkins University	–
Claire S. Rosa	Kirkland & Ellis	Partner	Boston, MA	Fund formation, Private equity funds	–	16 yrs	Boston University, Northeastern University	Ropes & Gray
Melissa J. Sandak	Goodwin Procter	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private equity funds +3	–	18 yrs	NYU, Cornell +1	Schulte Roth & Zabel, Proskauer
Adam W. Scoll	Proskauer Rose	Partner	Boston, MA	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	–	–	Hofstra University, University at Albany	–
Todd A. Solomon	McDermott Will & Schulte	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +1	–	–	University of Chicago, University of Michigan	–
David Wagner	Goodwin Procter	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private equity funds	Fund formation	22 yrs	Brooklyn Law School, Colgate University	Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Josh Westerholm	Kirkland & Ellis	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +4	Funds regulatory	22 yrs	Northwestern, Trinity International University	Sidley Austin

Arrow keys move through the list, Enter opens a person, S saves them to your shortlist, Escape closes. Facts from each firm’s public bio page; nobody pays to be listed.

Michael J. Albano
PartnerCleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation
- Since 2001. In practice since 2001, from the firm’s bio.
Amanda J. Albert
PartnerWilmerHale
New York, NYPractices: Private equity funds
- Since 2007. In practice since 2007, from the firm’s bio.
Conrad C Axelrod
PartnerKing & Spalding
New York, NYAlso fund formation, private equity funds, venture funds + 3 more
- Leads with: Real estate funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
Ira G. Bogner
Managing PartnerProskauer Rose
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Real estate funds + 2 more
Addison Braendel
PartnerBaker McKenzie
Chicago, ILAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, real estate funds + 5 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1992. In practice since 1992, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Theodore Brown
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, ILAlso private equity funds, real estate funds, hedge funds
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2019. In practice since 2019, from the firm’s bio.
Ruth E. Delaney
PartnerK&L Gates
Los Angeles, CAAlso fund formation, funds regulatory
- Leads with: Hedge funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2008. In practice since 2008, from the firm’s bio.
- LP side. Acts for fund investors (LPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Brian Diamond
PartnerHogan Lovells Cadwalader
New York, NYAlso fund formation, private credit funds, funds regulatory
- Leads with: Real estate funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1982. In practice since 1982, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
Beth J. Dickstein
PartnerSidley Austin
Chicago, ILPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Real estate funds + 1 more
- Since 1988. In practice since 1988, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
Sarah Downie
PartnerWeil, Gotshal & Manges
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation
- Since 1995. In practice since 1995, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Elizabeth Dyer
PartnerCleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Private credit funds + 4 more
Sabrina C. Glaser
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, real estate funds + 3 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2006. In practice since 2006, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
Timothy J. Goodwin
PartnerKing & Spalding
Atlanta, GAAlso fund formation
- Leads with: Real estate funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- LP side. Acts for fund investors (LPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Amy Gordon
PartnerWinston Taylor
Chicago, ILPractices: Fund formation
- Since 1991. In practice since 1991, from the firm’s bio.
Erika Gosker
PartnerMayer Brown
Chicago, ILAlso fund formation
- Leads with: Real estate funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Philip S. Gross
PartnerKleinberg Kaplan Wolff & Cohen
New York, NYAlso fund formation, private equity funds, real estate funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1986. In practice since 1986, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Lindsay B. Jackson
PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius
Washington, D.C.Also private equity funds, hedge funds
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2007. In practice since 2007, from the firm’s bio.
- LP side. Acts for fund investors (LPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Chris M. Kang
PartnerHaynes and Boone
Dallas, TXPractices: Fund formation, Fund finance, Funds regulatory
- Since 2007. In practice since 2007, from the firm’s bio.
Daniel R. Kleinman
PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius
Washington, D.C.Practices: Private equity funds, Hedge funds, Funds regulatory
- Since 1997. In practice since 1997, from the firm’s bio.
Ian L. Levin
PartnerMcDermott Will & Schulte
New York, NY + 1 morePractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Hedge funds
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Alan M. Levine
PartnerCleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds
- Since 1996. In practice since 1996, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Joseph A. Lifsics
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, ILPractices: Fund formation, Venture funds
- Since 2013. In practice since 2013, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Christine S. Matott
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, ILAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, real estate funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2006. In practice since 2006, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Patrick S. Menasco
PartnerGoodwin Procter
Washington, D.C.Practices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Real estate funds + 1 more
- Since 1994. In practice since 1994, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
David Olstein
PartnerHogan Lovells Cadwalader
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Claire S. Rosa
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Boston, MAPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds
- Since 2010. In practice since 2010, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Melissa J. Sandak
PartnerGoodwin Procter
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Real estate funds + 2 more
- Since 2008. In practice since 2008, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Adam W. Scoll
PartnerProskauer Rose
Boston, MAPractices: Fund formation
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Todd A. Solomon
PartnerMcDermott Will & Schulte
Chicago, ILPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Hedge funds
David Wagner
PartnerGoodwin Procter
New York, NYAlso private equity funds
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2004. In practice since 2004, from the firm’s bio.
Josh Westerholm
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, ILAlso fund formation, private equity funds, private credit funds + 2 more
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2004. In practice since 2004, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.

Private Fund Law Firms, by partners listed

Kirkland & EllisChicago · Boston · New York6partners
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & HamiltonNew York3partners
Goodwin ProcterNew York · Washington, D.C.3partners
Hogan Lovells CadwaladerNew York2partners
King & SpaldingAtlanta · New York2partners
McDermott Will & SchulteAtlanta · Chicago · New York2partners
Morgan, Lewis & BockiusWashington, D.C.2partners
Proskauer RoseBoston · New York2partners

Fund lawyers, by the numbers

Who has practised longest here?

By the first year in practice each firm’s bio gives; 22 of the 31 here give one.

Brian DiamondPartner · Hogan Lovells CadwaladerSince 1982
Philip S. GrossPartner · Kleinberg Kaplan Wolff & CohenSince 1986
Beth J. DicksteinPartner · Sidley AustinSince 1988
Amy GordonPartner · Winston TaylorSince 1991
Addison BraendelPartner · Baker McKenzieSince 1992

All, by years in practice in the table

Who began practising most recently?

By the first year in practice each firm’s bio gives; 22 of the 31 here give one.

Theodore BrownPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2019
Joseph A. LifsicsPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2013
Claire S. RosaPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2010
Ruth E. DelaneyPartner · K&L GatesSince 2008
Melissa J. SandakPartner · Goodwin ProcterSince 2008

All, newest first in the table

About this list

What ERISA and plan assets work is

Keeping a fund outside ERISA’s plan-asset rules (VCOC, REOC, the 25% test) and advising pension plans that invest in funds.

In sum

31 fund lawyers at 17 firms are listed on this page. The 5 with the most: Kirkland & Ellis (6), Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (3), Goodwin Procter (3), Hogan Lovells Cadwalader (2) and King & Spalding (2). The schools their bios name most: NYU (5), Georgetown (3) and Hofstra University (3). Of the 22 who give a first year in practice, half began in 2004 or before.

Questions

How many fund lawyers does FundOpsHQ list?

31 partners at 17 firms. Last checked Oct 23–24, 2026. Each one is at partner level, and their firm's own bio page describes their work on ERISA and plan assets (the quote is on each profile).

Which private fund law firms have the most partners listed?

Kirkland & Ellis (6), Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (3) and Goodwin Procter (3), counting the partners each firm's own website lists.

Where are fund lawyers based?

The cities with the most: New York (14), Chicago (9) and Washington, D.C. (3).

What else do these lawyers work on?

The practices they list most: fund formation (28), private equity funds (20) and hedge funds (15).

How does a fund lawyer get on this list?

By being a partner, principal, shareholder or member whose firm's own website lists them for this work. FundOpsHQ reads each firm's public bio pages and dates every check. Nobody pays to be listed or to rank, and anyone listed can claim, correct or remove their profile. How the directory works

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Listed here?

Claim your profile from its page to add to it, or ask for a correction or removal. It is free; the claim link goes to your work email at your firm’s domain.

How claiming works

Who is listed here comes from each firm’s own public bio page: the practices, clients and offices it names. Nobody pays to be listed or to rank. How the directory works