McDermott Will & Schulte

Credit and Direct Lending Funds, Upper Tier Strategic Advisory and Compensation Strategies, Executive and Management Team Representation, Financial Institutions, Hedge Funds, Investment Management, Private Equity, Compensation Data & Advisory

Co-Head of Credit Funds. Primarily represents alternative investment managers and private investment funds in all aspects of their businesses. Specializes in "Upper Tier Agreements" among the owners of private fund managers and the strategic investments, control transactions and succession planning that that are often part of the ownership lifecycle. David is known for his extensive knowledge of market terms and his commercial approach to evaluating risks and handling negotiations.

For many years David has been named a “Leader in His Field” by Chambers USA and Chambers Global. His peers note that David is “considered one of the top fund lawyers around, and deservedly so.” He is “praised by clients for his unwavering commitment,” and is described as “very engaged, thorough, thoughtful and extremely useful as our quarterback.”

David dedicates most of his practice to designing, structuring and advising credit, hedge, private equity, hybrid, distressed investing, activist and energy funds, co-investments vehicles, funds of funds, multi-manager platforms and co-investment platforms. Working with the Regulatory & Compliance Group his work includes counseling clients on finding practical solutions to regulatory and compliance requirements, including the Volcker Rule, and managing conflicts of interest.

Since the early 2000s David has been at the leading edge of industry developments and market practices in “Upper Tier” management company partnerships, compensation plans and succession plans, seed and strategic investments and spinoffs of investment teams.

In addition, David has been recognized as a key player in private fund formation by The International Who’s Who of Private Funds Lawyers, PLC Cross-border Private Equity Handbook, The Legal 500 US, and Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Banking, Finance and Transactional Law Lawyers. He has authored or co-authored “Management Company Structures and Terms,” published by ALM Law Journal Press, and “Succession Planning White Paper.”

American Bar Association; Alternative Investment Financial Executives Association, Advisory Board; NYC Bar Association, Banking Law Committee.

Brooklyn Law School, JD; State University of New York at Albany, BA.