Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP’s private funds team is instructed by a stellar roster of clients, including major private equity and buyout funds. The team stands out for its strength across a diverse range of private funds, from high-value buyout and credit funds, to venture capital and energy funds. Kate Downey and Mark Mifsud jointly lead the team. Downey is a go-to for significant transactions covering the structuring, formation, and raising of funds. Mifsud maintains his reputation for advising on the establishment of major multi-jurisdictional European funds. Alternative investment funds are core to David Christmas‘ practice, who is increasingly active in the growing Evergreen fund market. Another highlighted individual is Sam Wilson, who regularly handles matters related to co-investment schemes and secondary transactions. Other notable individuals include Karen Henderson and Athena Tan, who were promoted to partner and special counsel,  respectively, in March 2025. Aranpreet Randhawa joined the team from Proskauer Rose LLP in January 2025.

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP has a premier private funds team, which advises on the full breadth of issues concerning the formation of funds. The team is sought out by a stellar clientele of private equity sponsors, and the firm’s top-tier reputation attracts a significant number of first-time sponsors. Richard Watkins is a go-to for fund formation, fundraising, and the fund-related aspects of major acquisitions. Christopher Braunack is well known for assisting investment firms with the formation of funds across a broad range of asset classes. Theodore Cardos, an expert on continuation funds, has an impressive track record in the secondaries market. Amala Ejikeme regularly advises on multi-billion-dollar closings, while Anand Damodaran advises on an array of fund products, including traditional closed-end private funds, funds-of-one, and evergreen products. Aleksander Bakic has a strong track record in GP-led secondaries transactions; Andrew Shore is proficient in the structuring of private funds; and Amy Fox is well-versed in complex sub-sectors, including co-investment and carried interest arrangements.

Proskauer Rose LLP is renowned for its preeminent secondaries expertise, which complements its robust traditional private equity fund formation practice. The group is renowned for its breadth of experience with secondary transactions, spanning LP portfolios, GP-leds, spin-offs, continuation funds, and fund restructurings. Co-head Nigel van Zyl is a ‘fantastic asset to any fund launch process’ and has seen recent activity advising on the formation of venture capital and credit funds. Meanwhile, co-head Bruno Bertrand-Delfau maintains a strong reputation for leading marquee multi-billion-dollar secondaries deals. Warren Allan specialises in GP-led transactions and acts as exclusive counsel to a number of premier firms. Both Peter Olds and Edward Lee regularly advise on the structuring of private equity, growth, venture capital, and credit funds. James Oussedik advises sponsors and investors on fund formation and maintenance, as well as on co-investments. Christopher Elson is praised for being a ‘great negotiator’. Duncan Woollard joined the group from Paul Hastings LLP in April 2025.

Praised by one client for being the ‘go-to firm for mega buy-out funds’, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is renowned for advising on multi-billion-dollar launches. The department boasts extensive expertise in handling large-cap fundraising for its clients’ flagship funds, for example, assisting Apax Partners with its US$12 billion fundraise for its private equity fund, Apax XI. Gareth Earl heads up the team and regularly acts for major European private equity sponsors on global fundraises with international investors. Seema Shah is a go-to for fund formation and private investing in alternative asset classes. Robert Lee regularly acts for sponsors of private equity, infrastructure and other alternative investment funds. Co-heading the evergreen private wealth funds practice, James Board has deep knowledge of open-ended and perpetual funds. Jason Glover‘s reputation precedes him for his deep knowledge of global fundraising. Dan Lloyd is also singled out.

Clifford Chance LLP boasts an active private fund offering and is a top choice for sponsor-side clients. The practice is particularly well known for its expertise in infrastructure debt and real estate debt funds. Beyond these capabilities, the team regularly advises on well-established fund types such as direct lending and innovative products such as long-term private equity. Practice head Alexandra Davidson is well-versed in both structuring funds as well as secondaries transactions, including GP-led continuation funds. Gerard Saviola handles high-value fundraisings across a breadth of equity and credit strategies. Alexander Chester has a niche in assisting funds that focus on emerging and disruptive technologies, while LP-led secondary portfolio sales make up a significant part of Jonathan Bray‘s workload. Lily Marcel is singled out for her depth of knowledge on fund-related sustainable finance and ESG issues. Vishal Mashru has carved out a niche in structuring sustainability-focused private equity funds.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP maintains its excellent reputation for private funds, advising on traditional fund formation mandates for major fund sponsors, alongside alternative capital raising. The team is highly skilled across the full breadth of fund-related issues, covering tax and regulatory aspects across the UK, Europe and the US. Leading the team is Geoffrey Kittredge who draws on two decades of experience to advise on fundraisings with multijurisdictional elements. Shawn D’Aguiar, who joined from Goodwin in July 2024, is well-versed in a broad scope of investment fund matters, from capital raising and carry planning to continuation vehicles and coinvestments. Matthew Dickman regularly assists international sponsors. John Rife is particularly active, leading a number of the team’s marquee transactions. Splitting her time between the London, Paris and Frankfurt offices, Patricia Volhard is lauded for her ‘excellent commercial support’.

Goodwin is noted for its expertise across the full range of private investment funds, from private equity funds to infrastructure funds. Practice head Michael Halford acts for institutional and private investors and regularly advises on fundraising and structuring funds and co-investment arrangements. Alexandrine Armstrong-Cerfontaine splits her time between the firm’s London and Luxembourg offices and is well-equipped to handle international fund formation mandates. ‘Astute practitioner’ Ravi Chopra co-leads the firm’s secondaries practice and is a key port of call for his transatlantic expertise. Co-chair of the London office, Ajay Pathak leads on the establishment and operation of private funds. Andrew Pollock is singled out for handling mid-market investment, while Ben Yeoh‘s core focus is on venture capital.

Latham & Watkins houses a heavy-weight investment funds practice, with a strong pedigree advising sponsors across buyout, infrastructure, credit, and venture and growth equity strategies. The group provides its enviable client roster with expertise spanning both fund formation, investments into funds, and secondary transactions. James McCrory is routinely instructed on multi-billion-dollar fund acquisitions for buy-side and sell-side clients. Mateja Maher is noted for his experience assisting with fundraising and portfolio sales. Adrian C. Grocock covers the full gamut of fund-related mandates, including inaugural fund launches, secondary transactions, and investments into bespoke structures. Clare Scott was promoted to partner in March 2024 and is highlighted for handling both open and closed-ended fund formation. Serena Lee joined from Akin in March 2025.

Linklaters LLP continues to advise both investors and sponsors on major private equity, real estate, and credit strategies. The London investment funds practice sits within a global network, allowing top European fund managers to benefit from its full spectrum of funds structuring, fund regulation, and fund tax advice with international components. Team lead Matt Keogh is an expert in fund formation in private credit and also receives a steady stream of instructions pertaining to the retailisation of private funds.  Rahul Manvatkar specialises in fund-related regulation, with a particular focus on ESG and sustainability issues. Clare Baker is well known for advising investors in their investments into private funds, as well as handling GP and LP-led secondary transactions. Rounding out the team are a number of notable associates, including Emily Simmons, Gareth Crimp, and Olof Echt.

Paul Hastings LLP has a premier credit funds practice, advising credit managers in the credit and direct lending space with high-value raises. The team also has capabilities across bespoke structures, including rated feeders. Diala Minott leads the team and is deeply experienced in advising on the launches of European direct lending strategies as well as private credit secondaries. Zach Milloy focuses on the regulatory aspects of fund products across the UK, Europe and the US. Catherine Gokah is a recent addition to the team, having joined from Kirkland & Ellis in April 2025.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has a preeminent private funds group that is renowned for the breadth of its expertise, spanning primary fundraisings and complex GP-led secondaries across the full gamut of asset classes. Private equity, infrastructure, energy transition, and credit are among some of the key strategies that the group advises on. James Sargent is a key port of call for the team’s leading clientele, handling the establishment and operation of private investment funds. James Bromley advises fund managers throughout the entire lifecycle, from mega funds to start-ups on primary fundraisings. Jacquelyn Volpe is also key to the team, assisting with the full spectrum of private investment fund mandates.

Akin is a dominant force for secondary transactions, housing a top-tier buyside secondaries practice. Fundraising, fund formation and fund restructuring mandates are other common features of the team’s workload. Practice head Daniel Quinn is recognised for his prowess in GP-led secondary transactions and is a go-to for leading fund managers. Simon Ellis has a broad practice, handling on the one hand, fundraisings and coinvestment arrangements and on the other, complex LP portfolio sales. Qasam Mahmood is also singled out for his experience on secondaries transactions across asset classes.

Ashurst has a strong track record advising on the fundraising, structuring and formation of infrastructure funds with a focus on sustainability. The team is active in the green transition and ESG space, assisting sponsors with new strategies outside of their core products in this sector. Practice head Nick Goddard is a trusted advisor to leading fund sponsors and investors, while Piers Warburton is well-versed in the full spectrum of investment funds matters. Nicola Hopkins regularly instructs investors on co-investments and GP-led secondaries.

Engaged by leading private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, and fund managers, Macfarlanes LLP frequently advises on a wide array of matters, from formations to fundraisings and financing arrangements. Head of the Private Funds group, Stephen Ross is regularly engaged for his wide-ranging expertise in private fund formation, covering an array of asset classes. Chris Daniel is a key port of call for alternative asset managers establishing new funds. Christopher Good works with high-profile sponsor clients on the establishment and operation of closed-ended investment funds, while Harriet Miller is noted for her track record in fundraising matters.

Pinsent Masons LLP regularly advises on fund formation and international fundraisers, with recent cross-border mandates in the Middle East. The team counts among its clients investment funds, including development finance institutions and impact investors. Practice head Ian Warner specialises in advising on fund launches that focus on impact investing. Edinburgh-based co-head David Young has particular expertise in alternative assets. Oliver Crowley is another notable practitioner.

Ropes & Gray LLP is an ‘international powerhouse’, allowing clients of the private funds team to benefit from its multijurisdictional fund structuring expertise. The firm’s global resources are employed across a broad range of strategies, from private equity and credit to energy and renewables. Tom Alabaster is increasingly active in new structures, including open-ended funds, while Christopher Townsend focuses on traditional closed-ended funds and co-investment and carried interest arrangements. Eve Ellis leverages two decades of experience advising on financial services, accumulating an in-depth understanding of fund regulation.

A&O Shearman is noted for its capabilities in advising on private credit and private equity funds, including closed-ended, open-ended and hybrid fund structures. Beyond its activity in the formation and fundraising space, the team also advises institutional investors on their investments into private funds. Matt Huggett is instructed on both fund establishment and regulatory mandates. John Adams focuses on UK and European regulation. Nick Williams retired in April 2025 and is now a consultant with the firm.

Dechert LLP showcases a broad private funds practice, which excels in advising clients on 'navigating complex fund structures and compliance requirements'. This breadth of work extends to a robust secondaries and ESG regulatory offering. Gus Black chairs the group and is trusted by major private credit investment platforms. Christopher Gardner is well-equipped to handle matters related to domestic and international domiciled funds. Sam Kay is highly praised for advising on both fund formation and LP-led secondary transactions.

Reed Smith LLP demonstrates proficiency across multiple facets of funds, including fundraising, fund launches and investments into funds. The team leverages its international network to act for global credit and investment managers. Heading up the team, Brendan Gallen specialises in the structuring of alternative investment funds across a range of asset classes. Panos Katsambas is also recommended for routinely supporting the team’s U.S. and European clients. A key aspect of Matt Evans‘ work is advising on investments into funds, including SME-focused and digital infrastructure funds.

Stephenson Harwood‘s private funds repertoire consists predominantly of secondaries expertise. The team is highly regarded for its leading funds transactional practice. Gabriel Boghossian heads up the secondaries department, while Sarah de Ste Croix is at the helm of the broader funds practice. Boghossian has a stellar track record structuring major GP-led secondaries and is a top choice for GPs and buyers across Europe and the US, while de Ste Croix handles the full gamut of transactions related to closed-ended investment funds.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP is well regarded for its expertise in the practice area, and benefits from its international network which includes teams across Europe and the US. The group is noted for its strength in the secondaries market, and acts for a diverse range of clients including financial institutions, wealth managers, and family offices. Solomon Wifa leads the UK practice, and has expertise relating to a diverse range of asset classes including private equity, debt, and real estate. Key names in the team include Henrietta de Salis, who has over 25 years' experience in the field with a record of advising clients across Europe and the US, and Colin Fulton, who is 'diligent and pragmatic' and covers fund formation and operational matters, among other issues. Benoît Champon joined the team in 2025.

Core to Addleshaw Goddard‘s private funds practice is a focus on fund formation and fund investment. Alongside regularly acting for mid-market private fund GPs, the team is well-versed in representing investors on capital deployment to a broad spectrum of funds, from PE and real estate to infrastructure and venture capital. Jan Grüter leads the team and is praised for his expertise with market entrants. Ben Cocoracchio distinguishes himself for his notable experience with venture capital funds.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP‘s investment funds team sits within the firm’s broader financial services group, and its central focus is on advising private credit fund sponsors. The team frequently supports institutional investors, including DFIs, on investments into funds. Michael Newell is adept at structuring and establishing investment vehicles.

A key component of Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP’s private funds team, which sits within its financial services group, is its deep knowledge of the LTAF structure. The team is called upon by institutional investors investing in a range of fund types. Practice head Richard Batchelor advises on the structuring and restructuring of funds. In the Edinburgh office, Sarah Burnside has a specialism in sustainability-focused funds, while Stefanie Sahla-Jones advises on fund launches as well as the regulatory aspects of these mandates.

Jones Day is a trusted advisor to a major global secondaries manager. The team specialises in secondaries and is actively expanding its fund formation practice. John MacGarty comes highly recommended for his expertise across ‘full spectrum of private equity fund investment, co-investment and secondary investment work’. MacGarty co-heads the team alongside Hannah Rose, who has a steady workflow advising investors on their investments into private equity funds.

K&L Gates LLP‘s investment funds team is experienced in advising on first-time private equity and venture capital funds. A major feature of the team’s instructions is advising on the establishment of continuation vehicles. Fund launches in the mid-market are under Daniel Greenaway‘s purview, as are mandates for impact-focused PE clients.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP is called upon for its fundraising and closing capabilities, particularly with infrastructure, private debt, and VC secondaries. Simon Currie is the head of the practice and is adept at assisting with the establishment of private investment funds. Praised by clients as 'excellent and easy to reach', Rob Mailer is noted for his track record with clients investing in innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence and fintech. Oliver Rochman acts for VC funds and funds of funds, while Tayne Rankine dedicates herself to both fund formation and secondaries. Ted Craig joined the team from Paul Hastings LLP in July 2024 and leads on structured secondary transactions.

McDermott Will & Schulte sees a consistent flow of work in the credit funds space. The team’s offering includes advice on co-investment vehicles, evergreen funds and closed-ended credit funds. Josh Dambacher is adept at structuring private equity funds and hybrid funds. Christopher Hilditch is an expert on closed-ended investing. Fund structuring and fundraising for PE and venture capital funds focused on digital and fintech asset classes is Jim McNally‘s area of specialism.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP‘s private funds team is proficient in handling a broad range of secondary transactions, from co-investments to the sale of portfolios. Greg Norman oversees the team, which is trusted by family offices, global investment firms, and fund managers. Norman is noted for his capabilities in structuring investment platforms for a host of institutional and private investors.

Retailisation is a point of focus for Travers Smith LLP‘s funds team, which advises investment managers on product launches aimed at private bank investors. On the fundraising front, the practice hones in on the mid and lower mid-market. Jeremy Elmore, who garners plaudits for combining ‘technical excellence with a commercial approach’, leads the team and handles fund vehicles for investments. Will Normand‘s strong suit is with semi-liquid and open-ended evergreen funds.