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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
Firms
91
by partners listed
Most partners
Kirkland & Ellis
226 listed here
Biggest city
New York
626 here

Fund formation attorneys

1,426 · 1251–1300
  • PartnerEversheds Sutherland (US)

    Atlanta, GAPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Private credit funds

    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerGunderson Dettmer

    New York, NYAlso fund formation, private equity funds, secondaries

    • Leads with: Venture funds. 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 private equity funds, venture funds, hedge 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.
  • PartnerHogan Lovells Cadwalader

    Houston, TXPractices: Fund formation, Venture funds

    • Since 1994. In practice since 1994, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerKirkland & Ellis

    Washington, D.C.Also funds regulatory

    • 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.
    • Former SEC. Lists the SEC among past employers, on the firm’s bio.
  • 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 2011. In practice since 2011, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerStradley Ronon Stevens & Young

    Philadelphia, PAAlso fund formation

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
  • PartnerClifford Chance

    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 1995. In practice since 1995, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerKirkland & Ellis

    Washington, D.C.Also private equity funds, secondaries

    • Leads with: Fund formation. 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.
  • PartnerKirkland & Ellis

    New York, NYAlso private equity funds, venture funds

    • Leads with: Fund formation. 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.
  • PartnerReed Smith

    New York, NYAlso private equity funds, real estate funds, hedge funds

    • 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.
  • PartnerGunderson Dettmer

    Silicon Valley, CAPractices: Fund formation, Venture funds, Secondaries

    • GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerShartsis Friese

    San Francisco, CAAlso hedge funds

    • 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.
  • PartnerProskauer Rose

    Boston, MAAlso fund formation, private equity funds, venture funds + 3 more

    • Leads with: Secondaries. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerDuane Morris

    New York, NY + 1 moreAlso private equity funds, venture funds, real estate funds + 3 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

    Nashville, TN

    • Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2012. In practice since 2012, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerProskauer Rose

    New York, NYAlso fund formation, private equity funds, private credit funds + 4 more

    • 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.
  • PartnerPaul Hastings

    Chicago, ILAlso fund formation, secondaries

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. 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.
  • PartnerVinson & Elkins

    New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Real estate funds

    • Since 2012. In practice since 2012, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerSeward & Kissel

    New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Venture funds + 4 more

    • Since 2014. In practice since 2014, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison

    New York, NYAlso private equity funds, venture funds, private credit funds + 3 more

    • Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
  • PartnerSidley Austin

    San Francisco, CAAlso private equity funds

    • Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2000. In practice since 2000, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • Senior PartnerCooley

    Palo Alto, CAPractices: Fund formation, Venture funds

    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • Chair, Global Employment and Labor PracticeMorrison Foerster

    San Francisco, CAPractices: Fund formation, Venture funds

    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerMcDermott Will & Schulte

    New York, NYAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, hedge funds

    • 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.
  • PartnerLowenstein Sandler

    Roseland, NJAlso fund formation, private equity funds, venture funds

    • Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2013. In practice since 2013, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerGoodwin Procter

    Boston, MAAlso private equity funds, hedge funds, funds regulatory

    • Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 1982. In practice since 1982, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • Optional Service PartnerProskauer Rose

    Boston, MA + 1 moreAlso private equity funds, venture funds, private credit funds + 3 more

    • Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
  • PartnerWillkie Farr & Gallagher

    New York, NYAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, real estate funds + 1 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.
  • PartnerTroutman Pepper Locke

    Detroit, MIAlso 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 side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • ShareholderGreenberg Traurig

    Chicago, ILAlso real estate funds, secondaries, fund tax

    • 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.
    • In our news. Named in 1 story in FundOpsHQ news.
  • PartnerSidley Austin

    New York, NYAlso fund formation, private equity funds, hedge funds + 1 more

    • 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

    Miami, FLAlso fund formation

    • Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
  • PartnerGibson Dunn

    Washington, D.C.Also private equity funds, private credit funds, real estate 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.
  • PartnerEversheds Sutherland (US)

    Atlanta, GAAlso fund formation, private equity funds

    • Leads with: Real estate funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
  • PartnerHolland & Knight

    Boston, MA + 1 moreAlso venture funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds + 2 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.
  • Chair of Global Private Funds GroupMorrison Foerster

    Palo Alto, CAAlso funds regulatory

    • Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
  • PartnerKirkland & Ellis

    Dallas, TXAlso private equity funds

    • 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.
  • PartnerGunderson Dettmer

    Silicon Valley, CAAlso fund formation

    • Leads with: Venture funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerSimpson Thacher & Bartlett

    Houston, TX + 1 moreAlso private equity funds, real estate funds, secondaries

    • 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.
  • PartnerGibson Dunn

    New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Private credit funds + 3 more

    • Since 2012. In practice since 2012, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerKirkland & Ellis

    San Francisco, CA

    • Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2018. In practice since 2018, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius

    Boston, MAAlso private equity funds, venture funds, real estate funds + 4 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.
  • PartnerMcDermott Will & Schulte

    Nashville, TNAlso fund formation, private equity funds, venture funds + 1 more

    • Leads with: Fund tax. 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.
  • PartnerPaul Hastings

    New York, NYAlso fund formation, private credit funds, secondaries + 2 more

    • Leads with: Hedge funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2002. In practice since 2002, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerDLA Piper

    New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Venture funds + 4 more

  • PartnerKirkland & Ellis

    New York, NYAlso fund formation, venture funds, hedge funds + 1 more

    • Leads with: Private credit funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2007. In practice since 2007, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerKirkland & Ellis

    Chicago, ILAlso private equity funds

    • Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2015. In practice since 2015, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerWillkie Farr & Gallagher

    New York, NYAlso fund formation, private equity funds, funds regulatory

    • Leads with: Hedge funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2001. In practice since 2001, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerVinson & Elkins

    Dallas, TXAlso fund formation

    • Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 1999. In practice since 1999, from the firm’s bio.

Fund Formation Law Firms, by partners listed

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.

  1. Jack S. LevinPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 1958
  2. Myron KaplanPartner · Kleinberg Kaplan Wolff & CohenSince 1969
  3. Sanford C. PresantShareholder · Greenberg TraurigSince 1976
  4. Jeffrey D. UffnerPartner · Hogan Lovells CadwaladerSince 1976
  5. C. Brian WainwrightPartner · Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw PittmanSince 1976
All, by years in practice in the table

Who began practising most recently?

By the first year in practice each firm’s bio gives; 899 of the 1,426 here give one.

  1. Mike DankisPartner · LinklatersSince 2024
  2. Bryon James BoycePartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2020
  3. Reed CarrollPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2020
  4. Sabrina ChartrandPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2020
  5. Jonathan M. HoffmanPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2020
All, newest first in the table

Who came from the SEC or another regulator?

35 here list a regulator among past employers on the firm’s bio. A to Z.

  1. David P. BartelsPartner · DechertFormer SEC
  2. Michael S. CaccesePartner · K&L GatesFormer SEC
  3. John P. CavanaghPartner · Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & GarrisonFormer SEC
  4. Norm ChampPartner · Kirkland & EllisFormer SEC
  5. Ezekiel CouchPartner · Kirkland & EllisFormer SEC

Who is named in our news?

Named in FundOpsHQ stories, the most recent story first.

  1. Justin W. SolomonPartner · Sidley Austin1 story, latest Oct 2026
  2. Barry M. WolfExecutive Partner · Weil, Gotshal & Manges3 stories, latest Oct 2026
  3. Reed W. BalmerPartner · Troutman Pepper Locke1 story, latest Oct 2026
  4. Ryan S. McNishPartner · Sidley Austin1 story, latest Oct 2026
  5. 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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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