Fund Formation Lawyers
1,426 fund lawyers at 91 firms list fund formation work.
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
- 1,426
- all at partner level
Fund formation attorneys
PartnerMcDermott Will & Schulte
San Francisco, CAAlso fund formation, private equity funds, private credit funds + 2 more
- Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
New York, NYAlso fund formation, private credit funds, real estate funds
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerHolland & Knight
Richmond, VAAlso fund formation
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
- Former SEC. Lists the SEC among past employers, on the firm’s bio.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, ILAlso private equity funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1998. In practice since 1998, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
Partner-in-ChargeJones Day
Cleveland, OHAlso private equity funds, venture funds, secondaries
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1993. In practice since 1993, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerArnold & Porter
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, venture funds
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2003. In practice since 2003, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerSidley Austin
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 2005. In practice since 2005, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, ILAlso fund formation
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1999. In practice since 1999, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerSidley Austin
Chicago, ILAlso fund formation, private equity funds, private credit funds + 2 more
- Leads with: Hedge funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2008. In practice since 2008, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerLatham & Watkins
San Diego, CAAlso private equity funds, venture funds, private credit funds + 4 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1996. In practice since 1996, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, ILAlso private equity funds, real estate funds, secondaries
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2008. In practice since 2008, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
New York, NYAlso private credit funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2016. In practice since 2016, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
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.
PartnerLowenstein Sandler
Palo Alto, CAPractices: Fund formation, Venture funds
- Since 2005. In practice since 2005, from the firm’s bio.
- LP side. Acts for fund investors (LPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerGoodwin Procter
Boston, MAPractices: Fund formation, Real estate funds
- Since 1987. In practice since 1987, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, hedge funds
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2001. In practice since 2001, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, ILAlso fund formation, private equity funds, secondaries
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2019. In practice since 2019, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerArnold & Porter
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Fund tax
- Since 2001. In practice since 2001, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerWinston Taylor
Houston, TXPractices: Fund formation, Venture funds
- Since 2011. In practice since 2011, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, ILAlso secondaries
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2013. In practice since 2013, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, ILAlso private equity funds, venture funds
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2016. In practice since 2016, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, funds regulatory
- 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.
PartnerMayer Brown
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, funds regulatory
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKatten Muchin Rosenman
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, private credit funds
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
PartnerHaynes and Boone
Dallas, TXAlso private equity funds, real estate funds
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1997. In practice since 1997, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius
Washington, D.C. + 1 moreAlso fund formation, private equity funds, venture funds + 4 more
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2011. In practice since 2011, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
- Former SEC. Lists the SEC among past employers, on the firm’s bio.
PartnerGoodwin Procter
Washington, D.C.Also private equity funds, venture funds, private credit funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1999. In practice since 1999, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius
Boston, MAAlso fund formation
- Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1993. In practice since 1993, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerSimpson Thacher & Bartlett
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Real estate funds + 1 more
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerK&L Gates
Washington, D.C.Also fund formation
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1995. In practice since 1995, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerGoodwin Procter
Boston, MAPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds
- Since 1983. In practice since 1983, from the firm’s bio.
ShareholderPolsinelli
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Funds regulatory
- Since 2004. In practice since 2004, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerBaker McKenzie
Los Angeles, CAPractices: Fund formation, Fund tax
- Since 2005. In practice since 2005, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
New York, NYAlso private credit funds, real estate funds
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2014. In practice since 2014, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerVinson & Elkins
Austin, TXAlso private equity funds, venture funds, private credit funds + 4 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2011. In practice since 2011, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerDebevoise & Plimpton
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Venture funds + 3 more
- Since 1992. In practice since 1992, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerDuane Morris
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Venture funds
- Since 1983. In practice since 1983, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerProskauer Rose
Boston, MAAlso private equity funds, venture funds, funds regulatory
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerMcDermott Will & Schulte
New York, NYAlso private credit funds, infrastructure funds, secondaries + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerSidley Austin
Chicago, ILAlso private equity funds, venture funds, private credit funds + 3 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2012. In practice since 2012, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerMcDermott Will & Schulte
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, venture funds, private credit funds + 2 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
PartnerLatham & Watkins
New York, NYAlso secondaries
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1996. In practice since 1996, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerProskauer Rose
Boston, MAPractices: Fund formation
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerWeil, Gotshal & Manges
Washington, D.C.Also fund formation
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2009. In practice since 2009, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerVinson & Elkins
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, infrastructure funds
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
PartnerHunton Andrews Kurth
Richmond, VAAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, real estate funds + 2 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1997. In practice since 1997, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKleinberg Kaplan Wolff & Cohen
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, hedge funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2014. In practice since 2014, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerAlston & Bird
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Hedge funds + 1 more
- Since 1993. In practice since 1993, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerCooley
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, venture funds, real estate funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
Fund Formation Law Firms, by partners listed
- Kirkland & EllisNew York · Chicago · Washington, D.C. + 10 more226partners
- Proskauer RoseBoston · New York · Los Angeles + 1 more56partners
- Goodwin ProcterBoston · New York · Washington, D.C. + 3 more52partners
- Sidley AustinNew York · Chicago · Boston + 4 more49partners
- Simpson Thacher & BartlettNew York · Los Angeles · Washington, D.C. + 4 more48partners
- McDermott Will & SchulteNew York · Chicago · Atlanta + 2 more44partners
- Morgan, Lewis & BockiusBoston · New York · Washington, D.C. + 6 more39partners
- Gunderson DettmerBoston · New York · San Francisco + 4 more36partners
Fund formation attorneys, by the numbers
Who has practised longest here?
By the first year in practice each firm’s bio gives; 899 of the 1,426 here give one.
- Jack S. LevinPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 1958
- Myron KaplanPartner · Kleinberg Kaplan Wolff & CohenSince 1969
- Sanford C. PresantShareholder · Greenberg TraurigSince 1976
- Jeffrey D. UffnerPartner · Hogan Lovells CadwaladerSince 1976
- C. Brian WainwrightPartner · Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw PittmanSince 1976
Who began practising most recently?
By the first year in practice each firm’s bio gives; 899 of the 1,426 here give one.
- Mike DankisPartner · LinklatersSince 2024
- Bryon James BoycePartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2020
- Reed CarrollPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2020
- Sabrina ChartrandPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2020
- Jonathan M. HoffmanPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2020
Who came from the SEC or another regulator?
35 here list a regulator among past employers on the firm’s bio. A to Z.
- David P. BartelsPartner · DechertFormer SEC
- Michael S. CaccesePartner · K&L GatesFormer SEC
- John P. CavanaghPartner · Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & GarrisonFormer SEC
- Norm ChampPartner · Kirkland & EllisFormer SEC
- Ezekiel CouchPartner · Kirkland & EllisFormer SEC
Who is named in our news?
Named in FundOpsHQ stories, the most recent story first.
- Justin W. SolomonPartner · Sidley Austin1 story, latest Oct 2026
- Barry M. WolfExecutive Partner · Weil, Gotshal & Manges3 stories, latest Oct 2026
- Reed W. BalmerPartner · Troutman Pepper Locke1 story, latest Oct 2026
- Ryan S. McNishPartner · Sidley Austin1 story, latest Oct 2026
- Leslie W. HungPartner · McDermott Will & Schulte1 story, latest Sep 2026
About this list
What fund formation lawyers do
Fund formation lawyers build a new fund: the structure (often a limited partnership with feeder and parallel vehicles), the limited partnership agreement, the private placement memorandum and the subscription documents. They then negotiate side letters with investors and run the closings until the fund is fully raised.
In sum
1,426 fund lawyers at 91 firms are listed on this page. The 5 with the most: Kirkland & Ellis (226), Proskauer Rose (56), Goodwin Procter (52), Sidley Austin (49) and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (48). The schools their bios name most: NYU (156), Harvard (128) and Georgetown (110). Of the 899 who give a first year in practice, half began in 2006 or before. 35 list a past post at the SEC or another regulator.
Questions
How many fund formation attorneys does FundOpsHQ list?
1,426 partners at 91 firms. Last checked Oct 23–24, 2026. Each one is at partner level, and their firm's own bio page names fund formation work.
Which fund formation law firms have the most partners listed?
Kirkland & Ellis (226), Proskauer Rose (56) and Goodwin Procter (52), counting the partners each firm's own website lists for fund formation work. All 91 firms
Where are fund formation attorneys based?
The cities with the most: New York (626), Chicago (178) and Washington, D.C. (127).
What else do these lawyers work on?
The practices they list most alongside fund formation work: private equity funds (758), funds regulatory (537) and private credit funds (479).
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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How claiming worksWho 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