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
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.
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
- 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