Investment Funds: Private Equity: Secondaries
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
About
Provided by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Fried Frank's Asset Management Practice serves the needs of the global asset management industry by providing a full range of legal services to a diverse group of clients, including European, US and international financial institutions, hedge fund managers, private equity firms, investment advisers, family offices and institutional investors.
We provide top-tier advice on all aspects of funds, managed accounts and other investment vehicles, including fund formation, negotiation of managed accounts and advisory agreements, structuring management companies and compensation arrangements, spin-outs, seeding and stakes transactions, documentation of prime brokerage and other trading arrangements, and advice regarding ongoing operations.
Our team brings top quality technical and commercial skills to bear on every matter, including a practical understanding of critical regulatory developments and the ability to best address specific considerations for our varied global client base. We offer integrated supporting practices in specialty areas critical to the seamless execution of fund formations and transactions, including regulatory, tax, finance, ERISA, AIFMD, trading agreements, capital markets and intellectual property.
Chambers Review
Fried Frank frequently advises clients on fund formation matters across a broad spectrum of asset classes. The team is adept at advising on a wide array of fund work, from fundraisings and acquisitions to secondary investments and co-investments. The London office is able to leverage the firm's strong New York funds offering to advise its client base of European alternative asset managers and private equity sponsors.
Work Highlights
- Fried Frank acted as lead counsel for Permira Credit on its flagship European direct lending fundraise.
- Fried Frank advised StepStone as lead investor in a continuation fund sponsored by Pollen Street Capital.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Fried Frank's depth of knowledge regarding the private funds industry is exceptional. The team are also very responsive and are strong negotiators."
"The team have an incredible knowledge of market trends but are at the same time able to think outside the box and come up with new solutions."
"The team are incredibly personable and commercial. They deliver high-quality work on time and up to standard. In an increasingly saturated market, they stand above the crowd for five-star delivery."
"Fried Frank's depth of knowledge regarding the private funds industry is exceptional. The team are also very responsive and are strong negotiators."
"The team have an incredible knowledge of market trends but are at the same time able to think outside the box and come up with new solutions."
"The team are incredibly personable and commercial. They deliver high-quality work on time and up to standard. In an increasingly saturated market, they stand above the crowd for five-star delivery."
Notable Practitioners
Kate Downey advises leading asset managers on the formation of global and Europe-focused private equity, debt, infrastructure and real estate funds.
"Kate Downey is the best lawyer I've ever worked with. She is a world-class legal mind and strategic thinker with a great client manner."
"Kate is clearly a superstar. When you see her in action she's phenomenal and you can see why she wins awards. She's incredibly gifted at cutting through and getting to the nub of the issues."
"Kate is possibly most standout lawyer I've ever worked with. She's thinking one step ahead at all times. Her brain can drill down into detail about how things work."
"One of the best minds in the private debt industry."
Mark Mifsud is hailed for his longstanding expertise in the formation of private equity and infrastructure funds.
"Mark is very knowledgeable, has great experience and is very pragmatic and solutions-oriented."
"Mark is extremely professional, hands-on and has exceptional knowledge of the market in which we operate."
"Mark is a pleasure to work with. He has good commercial awareness and is able to adapt to our needs."
Andrew Rearick is noted for his expertise in private equity fund formation and secondaries transactions.
"Andrew is extremely smart, experienced and commercial. He has seen every different type of transaction and always knows the right answer."
"Andrew is extremely bright and clever, very hands-on and accessible. He is very experienced and across the commercial aspects."
"Andrew combines deep experience across a range of complex secondaries matters, technical expertise, and a nuanced understanding of our commercial needs and the economic drivers behind each deal."
Sam Wilson represents a broad spectrum of clients in the pan-European private equity funds space, from first-time entrants to longstanding managers. He is recognised for his expertise in fund formation and launches.
"Sam is technically excellent and very responsive. He can always be counted upon to provide thoughtful, pragmatic guidance."
"Sam is very easy to work with and provides commercial advice to accompany the legal advice."
Ranked Lawyers at
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
UK-wide
Members
Provided by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
David Christmas
Gregg Beechey
Head of Department
Sam Wilson
Clients
Provided by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Arcmont Asset Management
Bain Capital
BlackRock
BlueBay
Goldman Sachs
Norvestor Equity
Permira
RoundShield
iCON Infrastructure
Industries
Provided by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Debt & Direct Lending
Energy/Renewables
Infrastructure
Private Equity
Real Estate
Venture Capital