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Vault Law Resource Center

Private Equity

Overview

Attorneys working in private equity generally focus on one of two areas: M&A or investment management, though some do both. Private Equity M&A attorneys represent investment funds in acquiring and disposing of “portfolio” companies or minority ownership interests in such companies. Investment management attorneys assist in the formation of private investment funds and advise funds on complying with applicable regulations. The day-to-day work of funds attorneys includes preparing offering materials, negotiating with prospective investors, preparing partnership and LLC agreements, advising on and documenting management and compensation arrangements, and closing fund formation transactions.

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Practice Area Q&A’s

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

Maxwell Yim & Alison McCormick

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Goodwin

Amy Keller & Jennifer Necas

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Paul, Weiss

Jeff Marell & Neel Sachdev

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Ropes & Gray

Elizabeth Gallucci

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Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

Karan Dinamani

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Weil

Mei Dan

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White & Case

Shiva Sandill

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Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

Andrea Gede-Lange & Thomas Lee

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Paul, Weiss

Matthew W. Abbott & Megan Ward Spelman

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Sidley Austin LLP

Grace Jamgochian

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Weil

Ramona Nee

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"I cannot stress enough how important it is to know your client and provide advice specific to their pressure points and to matters that they deem important. No client is the same—they all operate differently. There is often no clear answer, so you need to understand the client’s business and goals to provide effective advocacy."

— Grace Jamgochian , Sidley Austin LLP

"I was interested in private equity because it exposes you to a broad array of industries, portfolio companies, and management teams, which keeps the work interesting. We represent both sophisticated investors and entrepreneurial growth companies, providing a wide spectrum of experiences and opportunities."

— Matthew W. Abbott , Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

"Private equity M&A is a fascinating area. As an M&A lawyer, you learn about the risks and opportunities of conducting business in different industries. Each transaction presents a new opportunity to learn."

— Andrea Gede-Lange , Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

"Private equity clients are often repeat customers. By developing long-term relationships, you become a better advocate and a better practitioner. And it’s more fun! You feel invested in your client’s success and your clients are invested in yours—institutional relationships are very much a two-way street."

— Ramona Nee , Weil

"When it comes to deal work, on-thejob training is the best training. Any opportunity to brainstorm, create client-facing solutions, lead calls and conversations, collaborate with colleagues, and practice communication is highly beneficial. Learning by doing will help you get in the rhythm of the deal life cycle and sharpen your ability to exercise good judgment when working with clients."

— Elizabeth Gallucci , Ropes & Gray

Advice from Vault Law

Practice Area Insights: Private Equity

Practice Area Insights: Private Equity

By Vault Law Editors

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