Premier Private Investment Funds Practice Joins Morgan Lewis
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date:
02/06/2006 -
news source:
Press Releases
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New York, February 6, 2006 — Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is pleased to announce that Louis H. Singer, Jedd H. Wider and Georgette A. Schaefer have brought their nationally recognized and highly ranked private investment funds practice to the firm. Messrs. Singer and Wider and Ms. Schaefer were involved in the formation of over 150 funds in 2005 and represent a significant number of the largest and most active global institutional investors in the private investment fund industry. The addition of their fund formation and investment counseling group to Morgan Lewis’ existing private funds capabilities makes the firm one of the preeminent providers of legal services in this area. Morgan Lewis clients will now have one of the most comprehensive arrays of private fund formation, investment, regulatory and transactional legal services available. Mr. Singer, Mr. Wider and Ms. Schaefer, formerly of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, join the firm’s New York office as partners effective immediately, with Mr. Singer as the head of its Private Investment Funds Practice.
The private funds industry encompasses hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds and a wide variety of institutional investors in funds, including state pension funds and university endowments. Morgan Lewis’ private equity transactions practice handles transactions for a growing list of leading clients. The firm’s securities regulatory and investment management practices are highly regarded by world-class financial institutions. The firm’s existing Private Funds Services Group represents internationally known private equity funds, hedge funds, funds-of-funds and investment banks.
Morgan Lewis is ranked 5th by Thomson Financial for Private Equity transactions, for the dollar volume of deals advised. In the past year alone, Morgan Lewis’ Private Equity Practice has advised on over $20 billion in transactions in the U.S. and abroad in the retail, technology, transportation, manufacturing, chemical, steel, automotive and life sciences industries. Also, 2005 league tables place Morgan Lewis 2nd in Securities and Investments Company Advisory rankings, 3rd in Broker/Dealer Advisory rankings and 3rd in Asset Manager Advisory rankings, all based on deal value.
Mr. Singer is a leading expert on national and international private investment funds, representing many of the most important participants in the alternative investment market. He has served as a Trustee of the American College of Investment Counsel for the past seven years and is a former President of that organization. He is a member of the Private Investment Funds Forum, serves on the Committee on Private Investment Funds of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, and is a member of the Board of Governors of the Association of Life Insurance Counsel. His recent speaking engagements have included presentations to the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys, SuperReturn USA, the Institute for Private Investors and many other organizations. He has been named as a leading lawyer in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers, Chambers Global: The Worlds Leading Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America.
Mr. Wider is a leading expert on the structuring and formation of, and investment into, global private investment funds. He represents many of the most prominent financial institutions and investment banks as well as financial boutiques in all areas relating to the private investment fund industry including hedge funds, private equity funds, secondary funds, real estate funds, venture capital funds and funds-of-funds. He represents a significant number of the most active domestic and international institutional investors investing into alternative assets as well as in the structuring of customized fund vehicles on behalf of those investors and fund complexes. He also has extensive experience in complex financial structurings and transactions and joint ventures. Mr. Wider’s views on the hedge fund and private equity fund industries and capital markets are frequently sought by members of the international media. He regularly chairs U.S. and international trade panels and lectures on private investment fund topics. He also serves as a member of the Editorial Board of The Journal of Investment Compliance and has been named as a leading lawyer in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers.
Ms. Schaefer serves as outside counsel to many of the largest pension funds in the United States, universities, insurance companies and investment managers with respect to investments, securities transactions and securities law compliance. She is a fellow of the American College of Investment Counsel and a member of the Securities Industry Association and the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys. Earlier in her career, Ms. Schaefer served as Senior Vice President and Counsel at a leading financial services institution.
About Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Morgan Lewis is a global law firm with more than 1,200 lawyers in 19 offices located in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Pittsburgh, Princeton, Chicago, Palo Alto, Dallas, Harrisburg, Irvine, Boston, London, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt and Tokyo. For more information about Morgan Lewis, please visit www.morganlewis.com.
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