Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP > Washington DC, United States > Firm Profile

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Financial services regulation

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP‘s New York-based regulatory specialists are adept at tackling issues pertaining to a range of private funds, advising hedge, private equity and VC fund managers on SEC investigations and internal compliance procedures, and with an increasing focus on the matters straddling the boundary between fund regulations and generative AI. The practice is also noted for its work in the broker-dealer sector, where it focuses on Dodd-Frank and Volcker Rule compliance in addition to liaising with FINRA and the SEC, including regarding the proposed Consolidated Audit Trail program. Craig Warkol and Julian Rainero specialize in broker-dealer regulatory enforcement matters, including those tied to securities trading. Co-managing partner Marc Elovitz and Kelly Koscuiszka guide fund managers through the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, with the former also assisting with digital asset trading and blockchain issues. Banking regulatory issues are the primary focus of Donald Mosher‘s practice, which encompasses the licensing of money transmitters and payment processors.

Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds Tier 1

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP‘s deep bench boasts some of the ‘most knowledgeable experienced,‘ lawyers in the alternative hedge funds space, representing a wide range of major asset and capital management clients. Handling liquid funds and investment structuring, Stephanie Breslow co-leads the team with David Efron and Peter Greene. David Nissenbaum also leads the team, assisting with a number of hedge fund and credit fund manager matters and leading on the Kepos Capital LP carbon-focused product launch, while Greene leads on representing the largest female-led hedge fund launch in the industry. The firm handles a significant volume of hedge, hybrid, and credit funds, and regularly advises investment managers on regulatory and compliance matters. Eileen Overbaugh is another name to note, representing an emerging hedge fund manager in negotiating a strategic investor arrangement. Jennifer Dunn left the firm in May 2024. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism Tier 1

Appreciated for its ‘focus on precision, quality and effectiveness‘, the shareholder-side offering at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP‘s New York office is one of the country’s standout, dedicated departments in the field. Beyond its expertise in core campaigns and filings, the practice includes leading practitioners for campaign strategizing, corporate governance, proxy rules, spin-offs and co-investments involving activists. The team also ensures close collaboration with its securities, litigation, tax, antitrust, and investment funds practices. Per one client, practice co-head Eleazer Klein ‘has earned his reputation for being the most thoughtful and able lawyer working for shareholder activists‘. Overseeing the department alongside Klein is Marc Weingarten, whose varied practice encompasses shareholder activism as well as M&A and securities law. Adriana Schwartz is another key contact who is well regarded for her securities-focused advice to activist shareholders. January 2024 partner appointment Sean Brownridge has experience leading associate teams in some of the firm’s highest-profile matters, and Brandon Gold (based in Washington, DC) also stands out.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 2

The expertise of the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ team at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP encompasses a broad range of securitization matters, with capabilities in numerous asset classes, from litigation funding to solar energy loans to life settlements. The firm also maintains a strong CLO capability, with experience handling arbitrage cash flow CLOs. Craig Stein, practice co-head, specializes in CLO matters for key clients at the firm. His fellow practice head, Boris Ziser, focuses on securitizations across an array of asset classes, including life settlements, equipment leases, lottery receivables, timeshare loans and litigation funding. Adam Singer, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, advises underwriters, issuers, lenders and borrowers in a broad range of asset classes. Andrea Mandell leads on tax matters surrounding the securitization space. Phillip Azzollini is noted for his work on warehouse transactions and private CLO offerings. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) Tier 2

Representing leading middle-market private equity funds and portfolio companies in connection with M&A, divestitures, and venture investments, the Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP practice displays particular strengths in the automotive, financial services, and tech industries. Shareholder activism and securities law expert Eleazer Klein co-leads the New York based team with Brian Miner, who primarily handles private equity transactions and cross-border acquisitions. Benjamin Kozinn assists clients with middle-market buyouts and venture investments, Jeffrey Symons focuses on joint ventures and corporate finance affairs, and Adriana Schwartz is a regulatory specialist. Since joining the firm from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in October 2023, Damian Petrovic concentrates on SPAC transactions and carve-outs. Lauren Troeller and Ryan Post are further key contacts.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 3

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP is well equipped to handle a broad range of funds in the private equity space, where they cover credit funds, special opportunity funds, real assets as well as new developments in the area such as hybrid funds focused on blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Overseeing the New York based department are Stephanie Breslow, who has expertise in the formation of private equity funds and the management and structuring of investment management businesses, Peter Greene, who is well versed in compliance and regulatory requirements for asset management companies, and alternative investments lawyer David Nissenbaum. Further key names in the team are liquidity funds lawyer Heather Wyckoff, real estate funds expert Phyllis Schwartz , and Joseph Smith, who clients praise as ‘first rate’. Among the team changes in the last year were the partner promotions of Daniel Blumenthal and John Weldon in January 2023.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: middle-market (Up to $500m) Tier 3

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP‘s New York-based team combines shareholder activism and private equity expertise and is particularly noted for its ability to handle PIPE transactions and preferred equity investments, guiding a series of LPs as well as middle-market sponsors such as Lovell Minnick and Mill Point through deals in the tech, financial services, and insurance sectors, among others. The team is also very active in traditional buyouts, handling buy- and sell-side deals for both sponsors and portfolio companies, and it maintains an active practice in connection with venture and growth investment transactions. PIPE and shareholder activism expert Eleazer Klein co-heads the team with public and private M&A expert Brian Miner. Benjamin Kozinn is a key contact for take-private acquisitions and growth investments, while Adriana Schwartz is noted especially for her preferred equity work. M&A expert Damian Petrovic joined the team from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in October 2023.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP’s transactional tax team in New York is highly active in the investment funds space, advising major hedge funds, private equity firms, and alternative asset managers on a broad range of issues. The practice has considerable experience in the emerging digital economy sector, recently advising Pantera Capital in relation to its investments in cryptocurrency and blockchain venture technology, as well as in the CLO market. Alan Waldenberg has a strong reputation for handling M&A, restructurings and workouts, and international investments, particularly those involving investment funds. He leads the team alongside Shlomo Twerski, recently instructed in relation to hedge fund and management company structures, private investment funds, and FATCA issues. Philippe Benedict is well versed in the tax aspects of securitizations, fund formation and structuring, and spin-offs. David Wermuth regularly represents investment managers, while Elie Zolty’s experience encompasses onshore and offshore investment funds, private equity partnerships, REITs, and real estate joint ventures.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

With its focus on the financial services sector, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP is well equipped to advise clients such as financial institutions, broker-dealers, private funds, and investment professionals. In addition to handling cases relating to financial misconduct, the team also advises on a wider range of white-collar matters, including public corruption, FCPA violations, and cybersecurity. Charles Clark and Peter White are based in Washington DC. Clark frequently handles enforcement proceedings before the DOJ and SEC, while White advises both companies and executives on an array of white-collar matters, including false claims, public corruption, and fraud. Located in New York, Craig Warkol has experience advising on securities fraud, insider trading, and market manipulation.

Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation Tier 4

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP’s core client base predominantly consists of notable private investment funds including hedge, private equity, and regulated funds. The group is well-versed in regulatory investigations and enforcement matters, as well as investment activities such as market manipulation and potential insider trading. Leading the team are Charles Clark, based in Washington DC, who co-chairs the firm’s securities enforcement practice, while Craig Warkol and Michael Swartz, both of whom are based in New York, co-chair the firm’s litigation group.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 4

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP‘s New York office has a compact practice with a solid track record in M&A and securities litigation, notably in matters concerning shareholder activism, proxy contests and corporate control on behalf of prominent businesses, banks, funds, investors and directors. Practice head Michael Swartz, who successfully represented Politan Capital Management in a shareholder activism dispute with Masimo Corporation, and William Gassman, who frequently advises foreign hedge funds, private equity firms, major corporations, investment banks, are the key partners. Partner Julie Beskin joined from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP in 2023, bringing extensive experience M&A, corporate governance and shareholder disputes, including matters in the Delaware Court of Chancery. Gayle Klein moved to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 4

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP‘s experience in the courtroom is at the heart of its offering in securities and M&A-related cases. For instance, lead partner Michael Swartz secured a major victory for Politan Capital Management LP in a case that could have effectively eliminated shareholder activism as an asset class. The firm is well-regarded for its work in large securities class actions, related derivative litigations and ERISA actions, and has notable expertise in niches such as investment funds litigation, short-swing cases, structured products and SPAC-related matters. William Gussman, who frequently acts for hedge funds, private equity firms, corporations, investment banks, prime brokers, and lenders, and Julia Beskin, who joined from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, are also key members of the securities litigation group.

Investment fund formation and management > Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds Tier 4

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 4

Noted for representing single and multiemployer pension benefit plans, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP boasts a wide spectrum of capabilities, from individual and class action lawsuits to withdrawal liability arbitrations and litigations. The group is highly active in advising clients on pension provisions under the American Rescue Plan Act, as well as representing clients before regulatory bodies such as the Department of Labor and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Mark Brossman and Ronald Richman leads the employment & employee benefits group from New York. Richman’s practice particularly focuses on employee benefits and restrictive covenant cases and has extensive experience in representing hedge and private equity funds.    

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 5

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP is noted for its industry-specific expertise in investment funds litigation, post-M&A disputes, and cases related to shareholder activism, in addition to handling a growing volume of cases in novel areas such as cryptocurrency. Head of practice Michael Swartz recently saw success at trial in a series of cases representing Pantera Capital in a dispute with rival company Polychain. Trial lawyer Julia Beskin is another key contact, joining the firm from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP in May 2023.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 5

New York-based firm Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP focuses on real estate finance matters in New York, but also handles deals involving other major cities such as Los Angeles and Miami. The practice advises both lenders and borrowers, and also represents New York landlords and retail tenants in negotiations. Practice head Julian Wise has a wide breadth of experience from multi-tranche mezzanine financings and intercreditor agreements to advising on acquisitions, dispositions, and financings of different asset classes. Seth Henslovitz is key to the team, representing lenders and borrowers in commercial mortgage and mezzanine financings. Ari Aranda is also noted.

Real estate Tier 5

Acting for lenders and borrowers, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP‘s New York-based practice focuses on complex real estate finance mandates, regularly advising on mortgage and mezzanine financings, acquisitions, leases, and joint ventures. With clients including Blackstone Mortgage Trust and The Carlyle Group, the real estate team advises a blend of large investment and private equity funds across a diverse set of asset classes. Julian Wise has extensive experience on transactions and finance structuring, including in senior and multi-tranche mezzanine financings, intercreditor agreements, loan portfolio acquisitions and disposals, and restructurings. Partner Seth Henslovitz is another key name on a range of finance, transactions, and restructuring matters, as is Ari Aranda.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 6

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP provides a multidisciplinary approach in providing services in complex out-of-court financial restructurings, Chapter 11 reorganizations and insolvency proceedings. Adam Harris  co-chair’s the team and is experienced in corporate restructurings as well as creditors’ rights litigation, whereas Douglas Mintz, in Washington DC advises secured and unsecured lenders. David Karp and Kristine Manoukian  are also key names. Lawyers are in New York unless otherwise stated.

Finance > Fintech

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage)