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
PartnerLowenstein Sandler
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation
- Since 2003. In practice since 2003, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerTaft Stettinius & Hollister
Atlanta, GAPractices: Fund formation, Real estate funds
PartnerMcDermott Will & Schulte
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Venture funds + 2 more
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerAkerman
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Hedge funds + 1 more
- Since 1985. In practice since 1985, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerPryor Cashman
New York, NYAlso fund formation, private equity funds
- Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2013. In practice since 2013, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerGoodwin Procter
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Real estate funds + 1 more
- Since 1991. In practice since 1991, from the firm’s bio.
Member & General CounselCozen O'Connor
Philadelphia, PAAlso private equity funds, venture funds, real estate funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1984. In practice since 1984, 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
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, hedge 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.
PartnerSimpson Thacher & Bartlett
New York, NYAlso funds regulatory
- 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.
PartnerMcDermott Will & Schulte
New York, NYAlso fund formation, private equity funds, private credit funds + 3 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.
PartnerMcDermott Will & Schulte
New York, NYAlso fund formation, private equity funds
- 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.
PartnerTaft Stettinius & Hollister
Chicago, ILPractices: Fund formation, Venture funds, Private credit funds + 1 more
- LP side. Acts for fund investors (LPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerLowenstein Sandler
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, venture funds, private credit funds + 1 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.
- In our news. Named in 2 stories in FundOpsHQ news.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, IL + 1 moreAlso private equity funds, private credit 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.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, ILAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, real estate funds
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2015. In practice since 2015, 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, 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.
PartnerSimpson Thacher & Bartlett
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2015. In practice since 2015, 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, Real estate funds
- Since 2015. In practice since 2015, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerWinston Taylor
Chicago, IL + 1 morePractices: Fund formation, Real estate funds, Hedge funds
- 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.
PartnerNelson Mullins
Houston, TX + 1 moreAlso private equity funds, venture funds, real estate funds + 2 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2010. In practice since 2010, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerHogan Lovells Cadwalader
Washington, D.C.Practices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Hedge funds
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerThompson Hine
Columbus, OHAlso fund formation
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1987. In practice since 1987, 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.
PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius
New York, NYAlso fund formation, private equity funds, venture funds + 2 more
- Leads with: Hedge funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1992. In practice since 1992, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, hedge funds + 2 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 side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerFaegre Drinker Biddle & Reath
Chicago, ILAlso fund formation
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. 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.
PartnerBaker Botts
Houston, TXPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Real estate funds
- Since 2003. In practice since 2003, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKing & Spalding
New York, NY + 1 moreAlso private credit funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds + 1 more
- 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.
Partner | Chair and Firmwide Managing PartnerHaynes and Boone
Dallas, TXPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Real estate funds + 3 more
- Since 1990. In practice since 1990, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerHogan Lovells Cadwalader
Washington, D.C.Also venture funds, private credit funds, real estate funds + 3 more
- 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.
PartnerChapman and Cutler
Chicago, ILAlso fund formation, private equity funds, hedge funds
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. 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.
PartnerLowenstein Sandler
Roseland, NJPractices: Fund formation
- Since 2002. In practice since 2002, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerDechert
Washington, D.C.Also fund formation
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2010. In practice since 2010, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerWeil, Gotshal & Manges
New York, NYAlso funds regulatory
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1995. In practice since 1995, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Houston, TXAlso private equity funds, secondaries
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2018. In practice since 2018, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
New York, NYAlso fund formation, private equity funds, venture funds
- Leads with: Secondaries. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2015. In practice since 2015, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Executive PartnerWeil, Gotshal & Manges
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, fund tax
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1984. In practice since 1984, 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 3 stories in FundOpsHQ news.
PartnerSimpson Thacher & Bartlett
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 1989. In practice since 1989, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerSimpson Thacher & Bartlett
New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Venture funds + 2 more
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Chicago, ILAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, real estate funds
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- 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.
Senior PartnerPolsinelli
St. Louis, MOPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds
- Since 1987. In practice since 1987, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
New York, NYAlso private equity funds, venture funds, private credit funds + 6 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1999. In practice since 1999, from the firm’s bio.
PartnerWinston Taylor
San Francisco, CA + 1 moreAlso venture funds, funds regulatory
- Leads with: Fund formation. 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.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
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 2008. In practice since 2008, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerSimpson Thacher & Bartlett
Los Angeles, CAAlso 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 side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
San Francisco, CA
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2010. In practice since 2010, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerLatham & Watkins
Chicago, IL + 1 moreAlso private equity funds, venture funds, private credit 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 and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
New York, NYAlso private equity 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.
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
New York, NYAlso 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.
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