Hedge Fund Lawyers
Overview
Introduction
Hedge fund lawyers provide a variety of legal services to hedge funds—ranging from assistance with fund formation and intellectual property, to regulatory compliance and securities regulation, tax and real estate issues, and litigation and dispute resolution. They work directly for hedge funds, as well as for the hedge fund practices of law firms. Others work for fund investors (e.g., endowment funds, high-wealth individuals, pension plans, family trusts).
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
In 2024, in-house corporate lawyers with zero to three years of experience earned salaries that ranged from $92,500 to $133,500 (depending on the size of their employer and other factors), according to Legal Salaries and Hiring Trends 2025 Salary Guide, from the national staffing firm Robert Half Legal. Corporate in-house general counsels earned salaries that ranged from $219,750 to $2...
Work Environment
The work environment for hedge fund lawyers varies depending on their given task. If a lawyer is involved in litigation, for example, he or she will frequently travel to legal proceedings. If the attorney is tasked with writing or reviewing operating agreements, limited partnership agreements, and other documents, he or she will probably be ensconced in a quiet office. At other times, lawyer me...
Outlook
Employment for lawyers who work for firms that deal with funds, trusts, and other financial vehicles is expected to grow by 9.7 percent from 2023 through 2033, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. This is much faster than the average for all careers. An increasing number of hedge funds are hiring full-time staff (rather than contract workers) to provide legal guidance regard...