The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > London > Hedge funds

Schulte Roth & Zabel International LLP works prolifically across the hedge funds space, advising a considerable share of institutional and first-time fund managers on a variety of new fund launches, raises and management issues, as well as fund restructurings, wind-downs and domicile changes. The team is active in the growing European funds space, with the team able to provide bespoke advice. The team is jointly led by Josh Dambacher, who focuses on corporate, securities and regulatory work for fund managers, private investment funds and financial services institutions; and Christopher Hilditch, who has considerable experience in fund structuring and management work including fundraising and financing issues. Also of note are special counsel Lee Smith, who takes the lead on a number of complex regulatory matters; investment-focused senior associate Laura Eatwell, and associate Amy MacDonagh, who is recommended for her work with Irish-domiciled funds.

Akin Gump LLP advises a variety of fund clients including major fund managers, institutional asset managers and start-up funds, providing an integrated service across the UK, Europe, and the US thanks to the firm's international platform. The team works across all fund formation and operation matters including launches and fundraisings, liquidity management work, fund structurings and secondary transactions. The team in London is led by Ian Meade, who has substantial relationships with many key fund managers across the UK and US; and Tim Pearce, who advises on fund structurings, regulatory instruments, third party issues and alternative investments. Counsel Hamish Annandale is also a key name to note.

Dechert LLP is involved in major fund launches, structuring mandates and management matters across all key domiciles, with a presence in the UK, US, and Europe. The team provides a full-service offering encompassing finance, employment and governance work, and in-house regulatory compliance advice; Ireland and Luxembourg-qualified lawyers sit within the London team. Clients include institutional and boutique fund managers and start-ups, and the practice is particularly active in seed deals. Gus Black leads the team, and is involved in a variety of complex cross-border funds issues. Abigail Bell is noted for her broad practice and involvement in market-leading fund launches. Mikhaelle Schiappacasse remains heavily involved in sizeable and complex matters, while Craig Borthwick made partner in early 2020.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP provides a full-service offering to funds established and managed across all key jurisdictions, including the Cayman Islands, US, Singapore and Luxembourg. The team, led by Ben Watford, supports existing funds and new managers with fund launches, management issues, trading documentation and regulatory concerns, acting for high-profile clients including Kimura across the full spectrum of matters. Financial services-related advice is a particular strength alongside the firm's broad jurisdictional expertise. Watford has global fund managers and investors as clients, and is supported by financial services expert Pamela Thompson and alternative investments and closed-ended funds specialist Ronald Paterson.

Fieldfisher provides a focused funds service to clients ranging from start-ups and smaller managers to established institutional managers, advising on fund formations and launches, derivatives and trading documentation. The team also provides advisory and contentious regulatory assistance, and can call on the firm's wider departments for full-service advice on tax, corporate and restructuring matters. The key partners are James Tinworth, who previously led the hedge funds team at Stephenson Harwood, and Ron Feldman, a specialist in derivatives and structured finance work acting for a combination of fund and institutional investor clients.

Arnold & Porter advises a variety of funds in the UK and US, with an integrated team across the two jurisdictions. The client roster includes a range of alternative investment funds, with a recent focus on funds contemplating entry into the cannabis industry. The practice advises clients on management and regulatory issues (particularly around Brexit), tax considerations and compliance with AIMFD, EMIR and other regulatory regimes. Additionally, the team collaborates closely with the firm's white-collar investigations and litigation practices on contentious governance issues. The practice is led by Simon Firth, who advises a variety of investment sponsors and managers.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP advises institutional asset managers on fund formations and launches, investment strategies and  secondary transactions, supported by the firm's finance and M&A practices. The team prioritises high-value and complex mandates, working with notable clients in the UK and US including Tudor and CCPIB. Mark Mifsud supports funds and managers on corporate finance and transactional matters. Former practice head David Selden joined PwC LLP in 2020.

Macfarlanes LLP acts for a number of major fund managers and institutional investors across Europe, advising on fund structurings and investment strategies. The team also notably works with start-up managers, with particular expertise in the formation and structuring of alternative credit funds, aided by in-house tax and regulatory capabilities. Practice head Sam Brooks advises open and closed-ended hedge funds, which are active across a range of asset types and liquidities.

Shearman & Sterling LLP specialises in advising high-value fund managers including Attestor Capital and Prosperity Capital on a variety of issues, including launches, restructurings, fundraisings and regulatory compliance work, particularly relating to Brexit and EU legislation. John Adams is highly active with an extensive fund-side client list, and works on the full spectrum of issues including fund governance, international investments and transactions, and the implementation of directives including AIFMD. He also works for investors, including a number of major sovereign wealth funds.