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 is co-head of the secondaries group, which 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 Woolard joined the group from Paul Hastings LLP in April 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Nick Rose is a superstar; incredibly hard-working, he has an excellent knowledge of the market and is a fantastic asset to any fund launch process.’

  • ‘We value the team’s technical excellence, commercial pragmatism, and responsiveness, particularly in navigating complex cross-border structures and regulatory environments key strengths include its integrated global team with legal, regulatory, and secondaries expertise, its strong LP-side insight, enhancing negotiation strategy.’

  • ‘Both Lucie Rose and Nigel van Zyl stand out for their rare combination of technical mastery, commercial acumen, and deep market insight. Nigel brings strategic clarity to complex structuring decisions and is a trusted advisor at the most senior levels. Lucie is exceptionally responsive, detail-oriented, and pragmatic—critical during fast-moving fundraises.’

  • ‘Very experienced and knowledgeable about private funds. Have been working with the same people for almost 20 years.’

  • ‘I recommend Nigel van Zyl and Nick Rose.’

  • ‘The entire team is technically very advanced compared to many others in the market when it comes to fund formation and subscription. The full range of service they offer is also not the usual way of working for other firms, who will need partner firms to help on specific topics or geographies.’

Key clients

  • Ardian
  • Hg
  • Fidelio Capital
  • A.P Moller Capital
  • Singulah
  • Moonfire Ventures
  • Patria Investments
  • Energy Impact Partners
  • AnaCap Financial Partners
  • BENCIS Capital Partners
  • Tenzing Private Equity
  • Apiary Capital Partners

Work highlights

Advised Ardian as lead investor in a new fund vehicle managed by Accel-KKR with an aggregate total deal value of approximately $2.3 billion. This deal won Secondaries Investor’s GP-Led Deal of the Year award.
Advising Energy Impact Partners on the formation of Energy Impact Partners Flagship Fund III, its main energy transition venture and growth capital fund, which is targeting $1.5 billion.
Advised AlbaCore Capital on the establishment and first close of its maiden Senior Direct Lending Fund which is targeting €3 billion in commitments.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

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Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Nigel van Zyl; Bruno Bertrand-Delfau

Other key lawyers

Warren Allan; Peter Olds; Edward Lee; James Oussedik; Duncan Woolard; Nick Rose; Lucie Rose; Christopher Elson