Investment Funds: Private Equity

Macfarlanes has a respected investment management group that acts for sponsors and investors. The impressive team covers a broad array of fund mandates. Macfarlanes is notable for its work advising UK managers looking to raise mid-market buyout funds, with a team that includes regulatory experts and fully integrated tax specialists. Real estate and real estate debt funds form a core focus of the group, as do open-ended structures for retail funds.

"Macfarlanes performs admirably to shepherd investors to closing in an extremely hard fundraising environment."

"The team has a great depth of experience with fund matters. They're very commercial in their approach and they take the time to answer questions and get the client comfortable with the logic of their opinions."

"The Macfarlanes team not only operates at the highest levels technically, they are also individually engaged and take a proactive and client-focused approach, which has been crucial to the successful delivery of various complex matters."

"A strong funds team with great lawyers who are very client-focused and calm under pressure. They have a great firm culture, too."

"Macfarlanes has an expert for most things you could need in the funds space, including general funds advice, regulatory, tax, derivatives and trading. Partners are very knowledgeable and experienced, and juniors are capable and proactive."

Macfarlanes advised Abrdn Fund Managers on the rebranding of approximately 180 funds in the UK authorised fund range, in addition to fund mergers, and regulatory governance and compliance.

Stephen Robinson is reputed for his experience in raising European-focused private equity and venture capital funds. "Stephen's breadth of knowledge and wealth of experience is always evident when we are involved in matters with him." "Stephen is fantastic. His advice is always very practical and commercial. He is always available to speak." "Technically very strong, with a solid understanding of the private equity industry."

Samuel Brooks is the head of the hedge fund group at Macfarlanes, and in that capacity he advises hedge fund managers at all stages of a fund, with a notable focus on startup managers. "Sam is a real subject matter expert with the experience to solve problems and provide good advice. He is also extremely pleasant to work with and focuses on achieving results efficiently." "Sam is an excellent, commercially minded lawyer who is a real asset to the Macfarlanes team." "A well-respected partner with strong technical skills and commercial sense." "Always very knowledgeable and commercial."

Stephen Ross handles a wide variety of matters relating to the launch and operation of hedge funds. "Stephen is a first-class lawyer and, with his background as a hedge fund GC, he brings a different dimension to his advice, offering pragmatic, commercial solutions." "Stephen is excellent at managing the teams around him, ensuring that he has the right skill set and level of seniority for each matter. Working with Stephen always feels like a partnership, rather than a client/service model." "Stephen offers technical expertise alongside an unparalleled commercial insight from his impressive in-house career." "A highly respected partner and very well known in the industry."

Christopher Good has broad private funds experience and counts leading sponsors among his clients. He is able to advise on the formation of funds following a range of strategies including secondaries and special situations. "It is a pleasure to work with Chris: he is great at working through the complexities of a deal and getting to the endpoint efficiently." "Christopher is extremely knowledgeable, very well assured, and has very admirable client-handling skills. On technical issues and client management issues, he's superb. An impressive lawyer." "Chris's practice combines a commercial mindset and excellent technical competencies to deliver top-tier client service."