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Registered Fund Lawyers

264 fund lawyers at 42 firms have bios that show a focus on registered funds (’40 Act).

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
264
all at partner level
Firms
42
Most partners
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young
43 listed here
Biggest city
Washington, D.C.
80 here

Fund lawyers

264 · 101–150
  • PartnerKirkland & Ellis

    Washington, D.C.Also private equity funds, real estate funds, funds regulatory

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

    Chicago, ILAlso private credit funds, funds regulatory

    • Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2003. In practice since 2003, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius

    Washington, D.C. + 1 morePractices: Private equity funds, Hedge funds, Funds regulatory

    • Since 1994. In practice since 1994, from the firm’s bio.
    • Former SEC. Lists the SEC among past employers, on the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerLatham & Watkins

    Washington, D.C.Also fund formation, private credit funds, secondaries

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2017. In practice since 2017, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerWillkie Farr & Gallagher

    Washington, D.C. + 1 moreAlso private credit funds

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 1991. In practice since 1991, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerDavis Polk & Wardwell

    Washington, D.C.Also private credit funds, secondaries, 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.
  • PartnerPaul Hastings

    San Francisco, CAAlso fund formation, private credit funds

    • 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.
  • PartnerHaynes and Boone

    Washington, D.C.Also private credit 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.
  • PartnerKirkland & Ellis

    New York, NYAlso private equity funds, venture funds, private credit funds + 4 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 side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerK&L Gates

    Boston, MAAlso hedge funds

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2009. In practice since 2009, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerStradley Ronon Stevens & Young

    Philadelphia, PA + 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.
  • PartnerSidley Austin

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

    • Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2016. In practice since 2016, from the firm’s bio.
    • LP side. Acts for fund investors (LPs), 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.
    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerDechert

    Washington, D.C.

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2006. In practice since 2006, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerStradley Ronon Stevens & Young

    Philadelphia, PAAlso 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.
  • PartnerDechert

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

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 1988. In practice since 1988, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerSidley Austin

    Chicago, ILPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Private credit funds + 3 more

    • 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.
  • PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius

    Boston, MAAlso fund formation

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 1994. In practice since 1994, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerSullivan & Cromwell

    Washington, D.C.

    • 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.
  • ShareholderGreenberg Traurig

    Philadelphia, PAPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Hedge funds + 1 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.
  • PartnerStradley Ronon Stevens & Young

    Philadelphia, PA

    • 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.
  • PartnerDechert

    Washington, D.C.Also fund formation

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2003. In practice since 2003, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerSkadden

    Chicago, ILAlso private equity funds, venture funds, private credit funds + 5 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 and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerLowenstein Sandler

    New York, NYAlso private equity funds, hedge funds

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2000. In practice since 2000, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerStradley Ronon Stevens & Young

    Washington, D.C.Also private equity funds, venture funds, private credit 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.
  • PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius

    Boston, MA

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 1999. In practice since 1999, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerDebevoise & Plimpton

    Washington, D.C.Practices: Private equity funds, Hedge funds, Funds regulatory

    • Since 1992. In practice since 1992, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerDechert

    Washington, D.C.Also fund formation, private credit funds

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

    New York, NYAlso fund formation, private credit funds

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2016. In practice since 2016, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerWillkie Farr & Gallagher

    New York, NYAlso fund formation, private credit funds, hedge funds

    • 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.
  • PartnerDechert

    Washington, D.C.Practices: Private equity funds, Venture funds, Private credit funds + 2 more

    • Since 2004. In practice since 2004, from the firm’s bio.
    • Former SEC. Lists the SEC among past employers, on the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerHaynes and Boone

    Boston, MA

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
  • PartnerChapman and Cutler

    Chicago, IL

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2007. In practice since 2007, from the firm’s bio.
  • ShareholderGreenberg Traurig

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

    • Leads with: Fund finance. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
  • PartnerChapman and Cutler

    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.
  • PartnerChapman and Cutler

    Chicago, ILPractices: Fund formation, Funds regulatory

    • Since 1985. In practice since 1985, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerDechert

    Washington, D.C.Practices: Private equity funds, Venture funds, Hedge funds + 1 more

    • Since 2013. In practice since 2013, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerKirkland & Ellis

    Chicago, ILAlso fund formation, private equity funds, hedge funds

    • 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.
  • PartnerStradley Ronon Stevens & Young

    Philadelphia, PAPractices: Fund formation, Funds regulatory

  • PartnerStradley Ronon Stevens & Young

    Philadelphia, PAPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Real estate funds + 1 more

  • PartnerSidley Austin

    New York, NY

    • 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.
  • PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius

    Washington, D.C.Also private equity funds, real estate funds

    • Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2005. In practice since 2005, from the firm’s bio.
    • Former IRS. Lists the IRS among past employers, on the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerKirkland & Ellis

    Washington, D.C.Also fund formation

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2017. In practice since 2017, from the firm’s bio.
    • GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
  • PartnerCleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

    Washington, D.C.Also fund formation, private equity funds, venture funds + 5 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.
  • Executive PartnerStradley Ronon Stevens & Young

    Philadelphia, PAAlso fund formation

    • Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
  • PartnerEversheds Sutherland (US)

    New York, NYPractices: Fund formation, Private credit funds, Funds regulatory

  • PartnerDechert

    Washington, D.C.Also fund formation, private equity funds, venture funds + 2 more

    • Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
    • Since 2001. In practice since 2001, from the firm’s bio.
  • PartnerCleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

    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.
    • GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
  • Executive PartnerStradley Ronon Stevens & Young

    Philadelphia, PA

    • 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.
  • PartnerKirkland & Ellis

    Washington, D.C.Also private credit funds, funds regulatory

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

Private Fund Law Firms, by partners listed

Fund lawyers, by the numbers

Who has practised longest here?

By the first year in practice each firm’s bio gives; 178 of the 264 here give one.

  1. Joel D. AlmquistPartner · K&L GatesSince 1977
  2. Robert J. ZutzPartner · K&L GatesSince 1977
  3. Eric F. FessPartner · Chapman and CutlerSince 1978
  4. Michael R. RosellaPartner · Paul HastingsSince 1981
  5. Margery K. NealePartner · Willkie Farr & GallagherSince 1983
All, by years in practice in the table

Who began practising most recently?

By the first year in practice each firm’s bio gives; 178 of the 264 here give one.

  1. Joshua M. NewvillePartner · Proskauer RoseSince 2024
  2. Nick TarnowskiPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2019
  3. Mike Hart-SlatteryPartner · Latham & WatkinsSince 2017
  4. William P. LanePartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2017
  5. Vince NguyenPartner · DechertSince 2017
All, newest first in the table

Who came from the SEC or another regulator?

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

  1. David P. BartelsPartner · DechertFormer SEC
  2. William J. BielefeldPartner · DechertFormer SEC
  3. Michael S. CaccesePartner · K&L GatesFormer SEC
  4. Sara P. CrovitzPartner · Stradley Ronon Stevens & YoungFormer SEC
  5. Eric M. DiamondPartner · Sullivan & CromwellFormer SEC

About this list

What registered funds (’40 Act) work is

Funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940: mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end and interval funds, and their boards.

In sum

264 fund lawyers at 42 firms are listed on this page. The 5 with the most: Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young (43), Dechert (39), Kirkland & Ellis (21), Chapman and Cutler (20) and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius (19). The schools their bios name most: Georgetown (31), University of Pennsylvania (23) and George Washington University (19). Of the 178 who give a first year in practice, half began in 2003 or before. 38 list a past post at the SEC or another regulator.

Questions

How many fund lawyers does FundOpsHQ list?

264 partners at 42 firms. Last checked Oct 23–24, 2026. Each one is at partner level, and their firm's own bio page describes their work on registered funds (’40 Act) (the quote is on each profile).

Which private fund law firms have the most partners listed?

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young (43), Dechert (39) and Kirkland & Ellis (21), counting the partners each firm's own website lists.

Where are fund lawyers based?

The cities with the most: Washington, D.C. (80), New York (63) and Chicago (37).

What else do these lawyers work on?

The practices they list most: funds regulatory (246), fund formation (157) and hedge funds (86).

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