Investment Funds: Hedge Funds
Europe Guide 2024 : UK
Band 2
Contact number
(020) 7184 7000About
Provided by Dechert LLP
Dechert operates one of the largest financial services practices in London. Our top-ranked team forms a critical part of the firm’s global Financial Services Group, which spans the leading financial hubs of Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.
Investment management boutiques and financial-services giants benefit from our “jurisdiction-neutral” advice that blends local experience with know-how on a global scale. Our advice covers retail and institutional products for all asset classes, strategies and structures, from equity and fixed income to credit, commodities and derivatives.
At the forefront of regulatory changes, our advice on global legislative initiatives is always forward-looking and results-focused. Our “one-stop shop” for investment funds is consistently top-tiered in the hedge funds space.
Moreover, while our English and U.S.-qualified lawyers provide on-the-spot advice on English and U.S. matters from a single platform, we are the only law firm able to source in-house advice in every leading investment fund jurisdiction in Europe.
Chambers Review
Dechert is a respected player in the alternative asset management space and a well-established and active participant in the hedge fund area for both startups and large institutional clients. The firm has global capability, with experience advising on fundraising across the USA, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The team provides comprehensive compliance and regulatory expertise, as well as regional expertise through its offices in Ireland and Luxembourg.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Dechert is really good. It has great technical lawyers, good client skills, and is very responsive and attentive."
"Dechert has top lawyers across every major region and area of expertise. The client service provided is the best I have ever received."
"Dechert has a commercial approach and is solutions-oriented on a range of issues of varying complexity."
"The hedge fund team is very strong, creative and current. They have a very good sense for the market."
"I am very impressed with the turnaround times, delivery capabilities and quality of the delivery, regardless of very tight timelines."
"Dechert is really good. It has great technical lawyers, good client skills, and is very responsive and attentive."
"Dechert has top lawyers across every major region and area of expertise. The client service provided is the best I have ever received."
"Dechert has a commercial approach and is solutions-oriented on a range of issues of varying complexity."
"The hedge fund team is very strong, creative and current. They have a very good sense for the market."
"I am very impressed with the turnaround times, delivery capabilities and quality of the delivery, regardless of very tight timelines."
Notable Practitioners
Abigail Bell is sought by established hedge funds managers as well as startups thanks to the depth of her experience in the space.
"Abigail is very knowledgeable on a wide range of legal matters: enough to be dangerous. She's super smart, but knows her limitations. She is one of our go-to lawyers."
"Abigail is always able to clearly communicate all matters and is very detailed and timely in her work."
"She is approachable and commercial, and understands the industry and how best to execute our vision."
"Abigail understands client's commercial business. She knows what our company needs in terms of how she fits into the business and what we're trying to achieve. She's more than a lawyer: she understands the landscapes and our commercial incentives."
"Abigail is extremely hard-working, impressively so."
Gus Black has a practice that covers a range of private funds, with private equity and credit funds falling within his expertise. He works with leading clients on a full range of matters, including fund restructuring.
"Super experienced, very hands on and pragmatic. A great lawyer to have on your team."
"Gus Black is a go-to for private funds advice. You can guarantee that he will get back to you promptly with a commercial and reasoned solution. He is extremely client-focused and has built an exceptional practice."
"A stalwart over at Dechert. An impressive individual."
"I honestly think that Gus Black is one of the best lawyers I've ever worked with, and I've worked with a lot. He's pragmatic, commercial and responsive."
"Gus makes a point of understanding precisely what our business is about, what our exact objectives are, and sets about to work hard for us to achieve the outcomes we seek. He will not shy away from delivering tough advice or telling us to change our approach, but when an outcome we seek is obtainable, Gus is adeptly skilled to achieve it for us. A highly impressive operator and a pleasure to work with, always."
Samuel Kay focuses on the formation of private equity funds. He has a broad practice within that space, assisting clients with funds dealing in a range of strategies.
"One of the top, go-to lawyers for VC and PE fund formation."
"Sam is very reliable, extremely talented, wonderfully pragmatic, and a pleasure to work with."
"Sam is a very competent lawyer for dealing with fund and management group matters, offering a pragmatic and problem-solving approach to his advice."