UBTI and Blocker Lawyers

27 fund lawyers at 19 firms have bios that show a focus on UBTI, ECI and blocker structuring.

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: 27; all at partner level
Firms: 19
Most partners: Greenberg Traurig; 5 listed here
Biggest city: Chicago; 5 here

Fund lawyers

Open the full-screen table

10 to 20 years5
20 years or more15

Large Sponsors1
Family Offices1

GPs and Sponsors16
LPs and Investors12

Counting everyone…

					Primary practice			Prior firms
Cristina Arumi	Hogan Lovells Cadwalader	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Real estate funds	–	31 yrs	Georgetown, Duke +1	EY
Daria K. Boxer	Greenberg Traurig	Shareholder	Los Angeles, CA	Fund formation, Real estate funds +1	Fund formation	18 yrs	Southwestern Law School, San Diego State University	–
Addison Braendel	Baker McKenzie	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +7	Fund formation	34 yrs	University of Chicago, Temple University	–
Lawrence H. Brenman	Greenberg Traurig	Shareholder	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +2	Real estate funds	44 yrs	NYU, University of +1	–
Jeffrey M. Bruns	Mayer Brown	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +5	Fund tax	–	University of Wisconsin	–
Kuang-Chu (K.C.) Chiang	Olshan Frome Wolosky	Partner	New York, NY	Private equity funds, Private credit funds +2	–	31 yrs	Columbia, National Taiwan University	–
James "Jay" S. Crenshaw	Greenberg Traurig	Shareholder	Orlando, FL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +4	Fund formation	21 yrs	University of, University of Florida	–
Erik R. Edwards	Polsinelli	Shareholder	Kansas City, MO	Real estate funds, Fund tax	–	27 yrs	University of Missouri, Truman State University	–
Jonathan R. Flora	Ballard Spahr	Partner	Philadelphia, PA	Fund formation, Private equity funds +1	–	37 yrs	NYU, University of +2	–
Stephen R. Goler	Greenberg Traurig	Shareholder	Denver, CO	Fund formation, Real estate funds +1	Real estate funds	19 yrs	Vanderbilt	–
Aresh Homayoun	Troutman Pepper Locke	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Real estate funds +1	Fund tax	–	Georgetown, Syracuse University	–
Anastasios G. Kastrinakis	Duane Morris	Partner	New York, NY +1	Fund formation, Private equity funds +2	–	22 yrs	NYU, University of +1	Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, DLA Piper +1
Richard C. LaFalce	Morgan, Lewis & Bockius	Partner	Washington, D.C.	Fund formation, Private equity funds +2	Fund tax	21 yrs	George Washington University, College of William & Mary	Internal Revenue Service
Katie J. LaKoma	Polsinelli	Shareholder	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Real estate funds +1	–	–	UCLA, University of Michigan	–
Branson Lee	Alston & Bird	Partner	Atlanta, GA	Fund formation, Private credit funds +2	Fund formation	–	NYU, University of +1	–
James Manzione	Gibson Dunn	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private equity funds +3	Fund tax	10 yrs	NYU, University of Michigan	–
Stephen D. Marcus	Baker Botts	Partner	Dallas, TX	Fund formation, Private equity funds +1	–	40 yrs	Southern Methodist University, University of Texas	–
Mark A. Melton	Holland & Knight	Partner	Dallas, TX	Fund formation, Private equity funds +4	Fund tax	–	Southern Methodist University, University of Texas	–
Sarah-Jane Morin	Morgan, Lewis & Bockius	Partner	San Francisco, CA	Fund formation, Private equity funds +5	Fund tax	17 yrs	UC Berkeley	Oracle
Bridget R. O'Neill	Sidley Austin	Partner	Chicago, IL	Fund formation, Private equity funds +3	Fund tax	38 yrs	University of Wisconsin, Georgetown	–
JoonBeom Pae	Mayer Brown	Partner	New York, NY	Fund formation, Private credit funds +3	Fund tax	–	Northwestern, NYU +1	–
Sanford C. Presant	Greenberg Traurig	Shareholder	Los Angeles, CA	Fund formation, Private equity funds +2	Real estate funds	50 yrs	Georgetown, State University of New York at Buffalo +1	EY, DLA Piper
Pej Razavilar	Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman	Partner	Miami, FL +1	Fund formation, Real estate funds	–	23 yrs	NYU, Harvard	–
Kendal A. Sibley	Hunton Andrews Kurth	Partner	Richmond, VA	Fund formation, Private equity funds +2	Fund tax	–	–	–
Kristin V. Taylor	Lowenstein Sandler	Partner	Roseland, NJ	Fund formation, Private equity funds +2	Fund tax	13 yrs	Rutgers Law School, Concordia University	–
Karen F. Turk	Goodwin Procter	Partner	Boston, MA	Fund formation, Fund tax	–	27 yrs	NYU, Wesleyan University	–
C. Brian Wainwright	Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman	Partner	Silicon Valley, CA	Fund formation, Venture funds +1	Fund tax	50 yrs	Harvard, Stanford	–

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.

Cristina Arumi
PartnerHogan Lovells Cadwalader
Washington, D.C.Practices: Real estate funds
- Since 1995. In practice since 1995, from the firm’s bio.
Daria K. Boxer
ShareholderGreenberg Traurig
Los Angeles, CAAlso real estate funds, fund finance
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2008. In practice since 2008, from the firm’s bio.
Addison Braendel
PartnerBaker McKenzie
Chicago, ILAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, real estate funds + 5 more
- Leads with: Fund formation. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1992. In practice since 1992, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Lawrence H. Brenman
ShareholderGreenberg Traurig
Chicago, ILAlso fund formation, private equity funds, fund tax
- Leads with: Real estate funds. 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.
Jeffrey M. Bruns
PartnerMayer Brown
Chicago, ILAlso fund formation, private credit funds, real estate funds + 2 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.
Kuang-Chu (K.C.) Chiang
PartnerOlshan Frome Wolosky
New York, NYPractices: Private equity funds, Private credit funds, Real estate funds + 1 more
- Since 1995. In practice since 1995, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
James "Jay" S. Crenshaw
ShareholderGreenberg Traurig
Orlando, FLAlso private equity funds, private credit funds, real estate 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 and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
Erik R. Edwards
ShareholderPolsinelli
Kansas City, MOPractices: Real estate funds, Fund tax
- Since 1999. In practice since 1999, from the firm’s bio.
Jonathan R. Flora
PartnerBallard Spahr
Philadelphia, PAPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Fund tax
- Since 1989. In practice since 1989, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Stephen R. Goler
ShareholderGreenberg Traurig
Denver, COAlso fund formation
- Leads with: Real estate funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2007. In practice since 2007, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
Aresh Homayoun
PartnerTroutman Pepper Locke
Washington, D.C.Also fund formation, real estate funds
- 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.
Anastasios G. Kastrinakis
PartnerDuane Morris
New York, NY + 1 morePractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Real estate funds + 1 more
- Since 2004. In practice since 2004, from the firm’s bio.
Richard C. LaFalce
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.
Katie J. LaKoma
ShareholderPolsinelli
Chicago, ILPractices: Fund formation, Real estate funds, Funds regulatory
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
Branson Lee
PartnerAlston & Bird
Atlanta, GAAlso private credit funds, real estate funds, funds regulatory
- 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.
James Manzione
PartnerGibson Dunn
New York, NYAlso fund formation, private equity funds, real estate funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2016. In practice since 2016, from the firm’s bio.
- GP and LP side. Acts for both fund sponsors and investors, as the firm’s bio says.
Stephen D. Marcus
PartnerBaker Botts
Dallas, TXPractices: Fund formation, Private equity funds, Real estate funds
- Since 1986. In practice since 1986, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Mark A. Melton
PartnerHolland & Knight
Dallas, TXAlso fund formation, private equity funds, private credit funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
Sarah-Jane Morin
PartnerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius
San Francisco, CAAlso fund formation, private equity funds, venture funds + 2 more
- Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 2009. In practice since 2009, from the firm’s bio.
Bridget R. O'Neill
PartnerSidley Austin
Chicago, ILAlso fund formation, private equity funds, real estate funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund tax. 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.
JoonBeom Pae
PartnerMayer Brown
New York, NYAlso fund formation, private credit funds, infrastructure funds + 1 more
- Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
Sanford C. Presant
ShareholderGreenberg Traurig
Los Angeles, CAAlso fund formation, fund tax
- Leads with: Real estate funds. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1976. In practice since 1976, from the firm’s bio.
- GP side. Acts for fund sponsors (GPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Pej Razavilar
PartnerPillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
Miami, FL + 1 morePractices: Fund formation, Real estate 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.
Kendal A. Sibley
PartnerHunton Andrews Kurth
Richmond, VAAlso fund formation, private equity funds, real estate funds
- Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- LP side. Acts for fund investors (LPs), as the firm’s bio says.
Kristin V. Taylor
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.
Karen F. Turk
PartnerGoodwin Procter
Boston, MAPractices: Fund formation, Fund tax
- Since 1999. In practice since 1999, from the firm’s bio.
- LP side. Acts for fund investors (LPs), as the firm’s bio says.
C. Brian Wainwright
PartnerPillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
Silicon Valley, CAAlso fund formation
- Leads with: Fund tax. The practice the firm’s bio leads with.
- Since 1976. In practice since 1976, 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

Greenberg TraurigLos Angeles · Chicago · Denver5partners
Mayer BrownChicago · New York2partners
Morgan, Lewis & BockiusSan Francisco · Washington, D.C.2partners
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw PittmanMiami · New York2partners
PolsinelliChicago · Kansas City2partners
Alston & BirdAtlanta1partner
Baker BottsDallas1partner
Baker McKenzieChicago1partner

Fund lawyers, by the numbers

Who has practised longest here?

By the first year in practice each firm’s bio gives; 20 of the 27 here give one.

Sanford C. PresantShareholder · Greenberg TraurigSince 1976
C. Brian WainwrightPartner · Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw PittmanSince 1976
Lawrence H. BrenmanShareholder · Greenberg TraurigSince 1982
Stephen D. MarcusPartner · Baker BottsSince 1986
Bridget R. O'NeillPartner · Sidley AustinSince 1988

All, by years in practice in the table

Who began practising most recently?

By the first year in practice each firm’s bio gives; 20 of the 27 here give one.

James ManzionePartner · Gibson DunnSince 2016
Kristin V. TaylorPartner · Lowenstein SandlerSince 2013
Sarah-Jane MorinPartner · Morgan, Lewis & BockiusSince 2009
Daria K. BoxerShareholder · Greenberg TraurigSince 2008
Stephen R. GolerShareholder · Greenberg TraurigSince 2007

All, newest first in the table

About this list

What UBTI, ECI and blocker structuring work is

Structuring funds so tax-exempt and non-US investors avoid UBTI, effectively connected income and FIRPTA, with blockers and parallel funds.

In sum

27 fund lawyers at 19 firms are listed on this page. The 5 with the most: Greenberg Traurig (5), Mayer Brown (2), Morgan, Lewis & Bockius (2), Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman (2) and Polsinelli (2). The schools their bios name most: NYU (8), University of (5) and Georgetown (4). Of the 20 who give a first year in practice, half began in 1999 or before.

Questions

How many fund lawyers does FundOpsHQ list?

27 partners at 19 firms. Last checked Oct 23–24, 2026. Each one is at partner level, and their firm's own bio page describes their work on UBTI, ECI and blocker structuring (the quote is on each profile).

Which private fund law firms have the most partners listed?

Greenberg Traurig (5), Mayer Brown (2) and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius (2), counting the partners each firm's own website lists.

Where are fund lawyers based?

The cities with the most: Chicago (5), New York (5) and Washington, D.C. (3).

What else do these lawyers work on?

The practices they list most: fund formation (23), real estate funds (21) and fund tax (18).

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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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