Schulte Roth & Zabel International LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
Schulte Roth & Zabel International LLP Offices
ONE EAGLE PLACE
LONDON
SW1Y 6AF
England
Schulte Roth & Zabel International LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Investment fund formation and management > Hedge funds Tier 1
Described as ‘exceptional for hedge fund formation matters,’ Schulte Roth & Zabel International LLP‘s London team works alongside the firm’s New York and Washington offices to advise on complex cross-border funds matters. The practice assists both established players and new entrants to the hedge fund space on the creation of novel investment vehicles targetting a range of asset classes, including fintech, cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. Jointly heading the team are Josh Dambacher, whose practice encompasses the structuring of seed capital investments and funds themselves, and Christopher Hilditch
, who advises on the structuring of funds, fund transactions and investor issues. Lee Smith also advises on the structuring of funds, with particular strength in launching European funds in addition to assisting funds going through restructuring. Special counsel Amy MacDonagh advises on the launch, operation and restructuring of hedge funds, while fellow special counsel Drew Miller focuses on compliance, advising on US and European securities law. Practice head(s):
Josh Dambacher; Christopher Hilditch
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Exceptional for hedge fund formation matters, market-leading practice for hedge fund start-up work.’
‘Josh Dambacher – Schulte’s rainmaker, has exceptional client management skills and a very strong understanding of the commercial requirements of hedge fund clients.’
‘Lee Smith offers deep knowledge of hedge fund matters and is a pleasure to work with.’
‘Outstanding team at all levels of seniority, led by an outstanding leadership, Josh Dambacher in particular. The team has strength and depth and is undoubtedly the very best in the market for hedge funds, and anything innovative or complicated.’
‘There is no other firm that compares. It is the one-stop shop, and the Rolls-Royce for hedge funds.’
‘Josh Dambacher stands out as the brightest, most solution-oriented, creative and best technical lawyer I know. He is commercial and immensely responsive. He is super knowledgeable in UK and US law issues.’
‘Solid understanding of fund formation and the regulatory space.’
‘Christopher Hilditch always finds time.’
Key clients
Alpha Wave Global LP
Credit Suisse Insurance Linked Strategies Ltd.
Decagon Asset Management LLP
Florin Court Capital LLP
Marshall Wace LLP
Pelham Capital Ltd
Qube Research & Technologies Limited
RWC Partners Limited
SEO Management AG
Squarepoint Capital LLP
Work highlights
- Advised Alberto Gallo and Aditya Aney on the establishment of Andromeda Capital Management Ltd., an emerging global credit manager spinning out of Algebris, an established credit manager.
- Advised Florin Court Capital LLP on the launch of a new systematic macro fund structure.
- Advised Benjamin Durham on the establishment of Decagon Asset Management LLP, a UK-based investment manager with a risk-arbitrate focus.
Finance > Securitisation Tier 4
Schulte Roth & Zabel International LLP hired two standout securitisation partners in 2022, which has helped it to carve out a niche in the market. Martin Sharkey, who is 'always available and provides consistently sound advice', is an experienced structured finance lawyer who specialises in advising CLO managers on multi-currency, arbitrage, balance sheet, market value and ESG CLOs, warehouse financings, collateral fund obligation transactions, CLO business acquisitions and portfolio sales. Stuart Axford is a recognised expert in asset-backed securitisation for a diverse range of asset classes, among them residential and commercial mortgages, auto loans, supply chain finance and cryptocurrencies. Sharkey recently acted for Barings (U.K.) Limited as manager of the €300m Barings’ Euro 2022-1 CLO, arranged by Goldman Sachs.Other key lawyers:
Stuart Axford; Martin Sharkey; James Winterlich
Testimonials
‘We rely heavily on Martin Sharkey’s involvement, who has excellent cashflow CLO product knowledge. Crucially, he is very involved on our matters.’
‘James Winterlich appears to know what he is doing, and is polite / nice to deal with.’
‘Martin Sharkey has been the sole contact advising the arranger on a structured transaction and was structured, always available and consistently sound advice.’
Key clients
Barings (U.K.) Limited
GoldenTree Asset Management LP
Work highlights
- Advised Barings (U.K.) Limited as CLO manager on Barings’ Euro 2022-1 CLO, which was arranged by Goldman Sachs.
- Acting as CLO manager counsel on Barings’ Euro 2023-1 CLO, which is arranged by Goldman Sachs.
- Represented GoldenTree Loan Management II, LP as CLO manager on the client’s first 2023 CLO, which was arranged by Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
Investment fund formation and management > Private funds Tier 5
Schulte Roth & Zabel International LLP is noted for its domestic and transatlantic capabilities. Specialist areas of expertise for the practice include hedge funds and litigation finance funds. The team is led jointly by 'solution orientated' private equity fund structuring specialist Josh Dambacher, and closed-end credit and distressed credit funds expert Christopher Hilditch. The experienced Jim McNally and tax expert Dan Roman are key members of the team. Practice head(s):
Josh Dambacher; Christopher Hilditch
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘I would say that industry knowledge, particularly with respect to hedge fund management, is what sets the firm and team apart. SRZ knows our particularly industry as well as or better than anyone, and we are always confident that they will provide the most up-to-date and well-informed guidance.’
‘Outstanding team at all levels of seniority led by an outstanding leadership, Josh Dambacher in particular. The team has strength and depth and is undoubtedly one of the leading shops for closed ended, hybrid and credit funds.’
‘Josh Dambacher stands out as the brightest, most solution orientated, creative and best technical lawyer I know. He is commercial and immensely responsive. He is super knowledgeable in UK and US law issues, including tax and regulatory.’
Key clients
Alpha Wave Global LP
AB CarVal Investors L.P.
Bybrook Capital LLP
Emso Asset Management Limited
Fidera Vecta Limited
Flight Story Ventures LLP
Kingsway Capital Partners Limited
Marshall Wace LLP
Naya Capital Management UK Limited
Orchard Global Asset Management LLP
Work highlights
- Advised Fidera Vecta Limited on its establishment and spin-out terms from York Capital Management.
- Assisted Securis Investment Partners LLP with the launch of Securis Life Fund IV, formed to invest in life-related and health-related investments.
- Representing Gatemore Capital Management LLP in the formation of its flagship Cayman Islands private equity fund, Gatemore Special Opportunities Fund II.
Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 6
Schulte Roth & Zabel International LLP is noted for its expertise in the alternative investment management arena, counting buy-side firms, in addition to proprietary traders, broker-dealers, electronic trading platform operators and placement agents, among its key roster of clients. Anna Moleva-Otto, who ‘combines huge expertise with pragmatism’, leads the practice and advises on the impact of EU directives and regulations.Practice head(s):
Anna Maleva-Otto
Other key lawyers:
Jim McNally; Polly O’Brien
Testimonials
‘Team led by partners who can quickly provide high-quality advice on a broad range of issues.’
‘Anna Maleva-Otto combines huge expertise with pragmatism, is always responsive and a pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
AB CarVal Investors, L.P.
AlbaCore Capital LLP
Cevian Capital
Emso Asset Management Limited
Lone Pine Capital LLC
Marshall Wace LLP
Pantera Capital
Portfolio Advisors, LLC
Silver Point Capital, L.P.
Viking Global Investors LP
Work highlights
- Worked with numerous investment fund clients in the months following the imposition of Russia-related sanctions to analyse the effects of the recent sanctions on the clients’ investment activities and, where necessary, to unwind and restructure certain investment activities and fund structures involving Russian investors, financial institutions and other businesses.
- Advised several UK and US asset managers on UK and EU data protection considerations, including basis for processing, international transfers of personal data, and data anonymisation procedures in connection with reviews of contracts with providers of alternative data.
- Advised in connection with several launches of investment funds that are investing in digital assets. This work includes advising on the regulatory requirements applicable to custody and depositary providers and registration under the UK anti-money laundering regime.
Schulte Roth & Zabel International LLP > Firm Profile
Since its founding in 1969, Schulte Roth & Zabel has been at the forefront of the alternative investment fund formation space and is widely acknowledged as the industry leader. The London office, operating for nearly 20 years, is one of London’s premier law firms advising alternative investment funds, their managers and investors.
The London office provides both UK and US law advice to a wide variety of funds and managers located in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the United States and other global locations. The lawyers have significant experience in structuring and negotiating seed and strategic investments, in UCITS formations, as well as structured finance transactions related to alternative investment funds. The London office has seen its regulatory practice thrive and is one of only a few firms with lawyers specifically focusing on regulatory and compliance matters within its private investment funds practice. In addition to handling major European fund formations and assisting with their ongoing operations, the office advises London managers on setting up US funds and advises on regulatory and tax issues associated with establishing a London presence.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Josh Dambacher | josh.dambacher@srz.com | |
| Contacts | Christopher Hilditch | christopher.hilditch@srz.com |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Josh Dambacher | Josh Dambacher is a London-based partner in the Investment Management Group at… | View Profile |
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Nick Fagge | Nick Fagge is a London-based partner in the Tax Group at Schulte… | View Profile |
|
Christopher Hilditch | Christopher Hilditch is a partner in the Investment Management Group at Schulte… | View Profile |
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Anna Maleva-Otto | Anna Maleva-Otto is a London-based partner in the Investment Management Regulatory &… | View Profile |
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Jim McNally | Jim McNally is a corporate and funds partner in Schulte Roth &… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 8 Number of other UK fee-earners : 14Languages
EnglishMemberships
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