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 · 251–264

Chair, head or managing partner1
Partner or principal263

Under 10 years5
10 to 20 years62
20 years or more111

Emerging Managers6
First-Time Funds5
Large Sponsors5
Family Offices8

GPs and Sponsors149
LPs and Investors25

Counting everyone…

					Primary practice			Prior firms
Joel D. Almquist	K&L Gates	Partner	Boston, MA	Fund formation, Private equity funds +2	Fund tax	49 yrs	Harvard, Columbia	–
Mark C. Amorosi	K&L Gates	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	–	32 yrs	Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America, Boston College	–
Scott R. Anderson	Chapman and Cutler	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +2	Funds regulatory	33 yrs	Loyola University, Augustana College	–
Joseph B. Andolina	Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath	Partner	Philadelphia, PA	Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	18 yrs	Seton Hall University, Princeton	Aberdeen Investments, City Year
Edward B. Baer	K&L Gates	Partner	San Francisco, CA	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	32 yrs	Rutgers School of Law-Newark, NYU	–
Matthew E. Barsamian	Dechert	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Private credit funds, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	13 yrs	Cornell, Georgetown	–
David P. Bartels	Dechert	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Private credit funds +1	Funds regulatory	21 yrs	Yale, University at Buffalo	U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Morgan Bassett	Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner	Partner	New York, NY	Private equity funds, Private credit funds +3	–	26 yrs	NYU, Brigham Young University	–
Fabio Battaglia	Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young	Partner	Philadelphia, PA	Fund formation, Hedge funds +1	Funds regulatory	–	Villanova University	Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
Mana Behbin	Morgan, Lewis & Bockius	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Private equity funds +3	Fund formation	23 yrs	University of Pennsylvania, Columbia	–
Kelley M. Bender	Chapman and Cutler	Chief Operating Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +4	Fund formation	21 yrs	Loyola University, Augustana College	–
Kevin Bettsteller	Gibson Dunn	Partner	Los Angeles, CA	Fund formation, Private equity funds +7	Funds regulatory	20 yrs	University of Michigan	–
Cynthia R. Beyea	Dechert	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Private credit funds, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	–	American University, George Washington University	–
William J. Bielefeld	Dechert	Partner	Washington, D.C. +1	Private credit funds, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	–	Kenyon College, Temple University	U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Stephen H. Bier	Dechert	Partner	New York, NY	Private credit funds, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	37 yrs	Rutgers University, Harvard	–
Thomas C. Bogle	Dechert	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	–	George Washington University, Tulane University	–
Tom Bohac	Troutman Pepper Locke	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	11 yrs	Notre Dame Law School, Loyola University Chicago	–
Jillian L. Bosmann	Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath	Partner	Philadelphia, PA	Fund formation, Private credit funds +1	Funds regulatory	20 yrs	Cornell, Carleton College	–
Julien Bourgeois	Dechert	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Hedge funds +1	Funds regulatory	28 yrs	University of Paris Nanterre, University of	–
Taylor Brody	Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young	Partner	Philadelphia, PA	Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	–	University of Pennsylvania, Carleton College	–
Gary E. Brooks	Chapman and Cutler	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Private credit funds +1	Funds regulatory	13 yrs	University of Pennsylvania, University of Maryland	–
Matthew A. Brunmeier	Winston Taylor	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Fund formation	14 yrs	Loyola University Chicago	–
Vlad Bulkin	Proskauer Rose	Partner	Boca Raton, FL	Fund formation, Private credit funds +1	Fund formation	–	Georgetown, University of +1	Katten
Jessica D. Burt	Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	–	University of Rochester, George Washington University +1	–
Michael S. Caccese	K&L Gates	Partner	Boston, MA	Fund formation, Hedge funds +1	Fund formation	–	Temple University, Pennsylvania State University	CFA Institute, Russell Investments +2
Kevin F. Cahill	Dechert	Partner	Los Angeles, CA	Fund formation, Hedge funds +1	Funds regulatory	25 yrs	University of, University of Illinois	–
Stephanie A. Capistron	Dechert	Partner	Boston, MA	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	18 yrs	Boston College, Providence College	–
Steven F. Carman	Husch Blackwell	Partner	Kansas City, MO	Fund formation, Secondaries +1	–	–	University of Pennsylvania, Hamilton College	–
Kelly Pendergast Carr	Chapman and Cutler	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	12 yrs	Loyola University, University of Michigan	–
Brenden Carroll	Dechert	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	18 yrs	Georgetown, University of Colorado Boulder	–
Matthew J. Carter	Dechert	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Private credit funds	–	16 yrs	Vanderbilt	–
James V. Catano	Dechert	Partner	Boston, MA	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	15 yrs	University of Virginia, Catholic University of America +1	–
C. Michelle Chen	Sullivan & Cromwell	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Private credit funds, Funds regulatory	–	14 yrs	Columbia, Duke	–
Pamela Poland Chen	Kirkland & Ellis	Partner	New York, NY	Private credit funds, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	–	Georgetown, Case Western Reserve University	Lord Abbett, Schulte Roth & Zabel
Christopher D. Christian	Dechert	Partner	Boston, MA	Fund formation, Private credit funds +1	–	28 yrs	Catholic University of, Georgetown +1	–
Stephen T. Cohen	Dechert	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	23 yrs	University of Florida, American University	–
Stuart H. Coleman	Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young	Partner	New York, NY	Private equity funds, Hedge funds +1	Funds regulatory	–	NYU, Wesleyan University	–
Lea Anne Copenhefer	Morgan, Lewis & Bockius	Partner	Boston, MA	Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	41 yrs	University of Chicago, Yale	–
Joel D. Corriero	Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young	Partner	Philadelphia, PA	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	–	Widener University Delaware, Rutgers University	–
Richard J. Coyle	Chapman and Cutler	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	13 yrs	University of Michigan	–
Sara P. Crovitz	Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	–	University of Chicago	U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Brian Crowell	Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young	Partner	Philadelphia, PA	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	–	Villanova University	–
Niamh A. Curry	Proskauer Rose	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private equity funds +3	Fund formation	–	NYU, Brooklyn Law School	–
Richard M. Cutshall	Greenberg Traurig	Shareholder	Denver, CO	Fund formation, Real estate funds +1	Funds regulatory	22 yrs	Loyola University, University of Minnesota	–
Andrew J. Davalla	Thompson Hine	Partner	Cleveland, OH +1	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	–	–	Fordham	–
Laurie A. Dee	Morgan, Lewis & Bockius	Partner	Orange County, CA	Fund formation, Hedge funds +1	Funds regulatory	24 yrs	Northwestern, Stanford	–
Paul J. Delligatti	Kirkland & Ellis	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Private credit funds, Real estate funds +1	Funds regulatory	–	Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America, Cornell	Goodwin Procter, Morrison & Foerster
Michael A. DeNiro	Willkie Farr & Gallagher	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private equity funds +2	Funds regulatory	11 yrs	Cornell, Rutgers University–New Brunswick +1	–
Joshua B. Deringer	Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath	Partner	New York, NY +1	Fund formation, Private credit funds +1	Fund formation	26 yrs	Fordham, University of Pennsylvania	–
Jacob M. Derr	K&L Gates	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Funds regulatory	Funds regulatory	10 yrs	William & Mary Law School, Ohio University	–

Arrow keys move through the list, Enter opens a person, S saves them to your shortlist, Escape closes. Facts from each firm’s public bio page; nobody pays to be listed.

Marc Weingarten
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.
Frederick Wertheim
PartnerSullivan & Cromwell
New York, NYPractices: Funds regulatory
- Since 1987. In practice since 1987, from the firm’s bio.
David L. Williams
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.
Gwendolyn A. Williamson
PartnerFaegre Drinker Biddle & Reath
Washington, D.C.
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. 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.
Matthew T. Wirig
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.
Aaron D. Withrow
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.
David E. Wohl
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.
Anthony H. Zacharski
PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius
New York, NY + 1 more
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1997. In practice since 1997, from the firm’s bio.
Nadeea R. Zakaria
PartnerDechert
New York, NYAlso fund formation, private credit funds, secondaries
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2007. In practice since 2007, from the firm’s bio.
Betselot A. Zeleke
PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius
Washington, D.C.Also funds regulatory
- 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.
- Former SEC. Lists the SEC among past employers, on the firm’s bio.
George Zornada
PartnerK&L Gates
Boston, MAAlso fund formation, hedge funds
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1990. In practice since 1990, 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.
Andrew L. Zutz
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
Washington, D.C.
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. 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.
Robert J. Zutz
PartnerK&L Gates
Washington, D.C.Also fund formation
- Leads with: Funds regulatory. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1977. In practice since 1977, from the firm’s bio.
- Former SEC. Lists the SEC among past employers, on the firm’s bio.
Arthur L. Zwickel
PartnerPaul Hastings
Los Angeles, CAAlso private equity funds, hedge funds, funds regulatory
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1993. In practice since 1993, from the firm’s bio.
- LP side. Acts for fund investors (LPs), as the firm’s bio says.

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

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.

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

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.

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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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