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
Fund lawyers
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
- Stradley Ronon Stevens & YoungPhiladelphia · Washington, D.C. · New York + 1 more43partners
- DechertWashington, D.C. · New York · Boston + 3 more39partners
- Kirkland & EllisNew York · Washington, D.C. · Chicago + 1 more21partners
- Chapman and CutlerChicago · Washington, D.C.20partners
- Morgan, Lewis & BockiusWashington, D.C. · Boston · Philadelphia + 3 more19partners
- K&L GatesBoston · Washington, D.C. · Chicago + 1 more17partners
- Willkie Farr & GallagherNew York · Washington, D.C. · Chicago9partners
- Faegre Drinker Biddle & ReathPhiladelphia · Chicago · New York + 1 more8partners
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.
- Joel D. AlmquistPartner · K&L GatesSince 1977
- Robert J. ZutzPartner · K&L GatesSince 1977
- Eric F. FessPartner · Chapman and CutlerSince 1978
- Michael R. RosellaPartner · Paul HastingsSince 1981
- Margery K. NealePartner · Willkie Farr & GallagherSince 1983
Who began practising most recently?
By the first year in practice each firm’s bio gives; 178 of the 264 here give one.
- Joshua M. NewvillePartner · Proskauer RoseSince 2024
- Nick TarnowskiPartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2019
- Mike Hart-SlatteryPartner · Latham & WatkinsSince 2017
- William P. LanePartner · Kirkland & EllisSince 2017
- Vince NguyenPartner · DechertSince 2017
Who came from the SEC or another regulator?
38 here list a regulator among past employers on the firm’s bio. A to Z.
- David P. BartelsPartner · DechertFormer SEC
- William J. BielefeldPartner · DechertFormer SEC
- Michael S. CaccesePartner · K&L GatesFormer SEC
- Sara P. CrovitzPartner · Stradley Ronon Stevens & YoungFormer SEC
- 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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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