Clients have a positive impression of the team at Schulte Roth & Zabel International LLP, commending it for providing ‘a Four Seasons-level service to every client’ and the group’s ‘unparalleled experience with hedge fund start-ups and the large hedge funds in the UK’. Lawyers at the firm have experience across the hedge funds space, regularly handling fund formations and operations, in addition to being able to utilise regulatory, tax, finance and M&A experts across the firm. Josh Dambacher's practice spans the full range of non-contentious hedge fund matters, and he is increasingly called upon in cryptocurrency and digital asset structures. Dambacher jointly heads the team alongside Christopher Hilditch, who is able to provide strategic-level advice on structuring and fund operation. Lee Smith is another name to note for fund formation, while Anna Maleva-Otto, who ‘thinks out of the box', has a strong reputation for her regulatory and compliance knowledge.

Simmons & Simmons has a team focused entirely on hedge fund formation, providing advice on the spectrum of issues, including structures, regulation, as well as ancillary issues such as data security, taxation, investor and employee terms, leading client to praise the firm for its ‘excellent coverage of other related areas of law to provide a holistic service‘. Most notably, the group has longstanding expertise in ESG-related funds, where it advises on US and UK regulatory change. The group brings together expertise from across the firm’s international office network, particularly in Asia and Europe. The team is headed by Devarshi Saksena, a hedge funds expert who, in 2021, took over the leadership from Iain Cullen , who continues to assist with hedge fund structuring mandates. Lucian Firth  is a specialist in launching ESG funds, while Sarah Crabb has a varied practice that includes funds in the fintech space. Managing associate Kate Tracey is increasingly called upon to advise fund clients on ESG requirements.

Akin is noted for its ‘great legal knowledge relevant to the asset management and hedge fund sector, combined with practical commercial application‘, focusing on US-based products, often working closely with the firm’s New York and Washington DC offices, with a particular specialism in the US and UK regulatory spaces. Jointly leading the team are Tim Pearce  and Ian Meade , both of whom are active for fund launches, as well as advice pertaining to restructurings. Counsel Hamish Annandale is also recommended.

‘Friendly, listen to the clients, aim to understand and solve problems in the most effective manner for all' is one way Dechert LLP‘s practice is praised by clients. The team, which  is situated within its financial services and investment management department, advises boutique and institutional hedge fund managers based in the UK and overseas. Fund launches are a staple for the team, which also assists clients on an ongoing basis in relation to commercial operations, global marketing activities, ESG and tax; as well as in relation to anti-money laundering and sanctions issues. The group is increasingly busy in the alternatives space, with recent experience in crypto products, as well as in relation to co-investment platforms on- and offshore. Abigail Bell ‘s ‘expertise, including across jurisdictions, is outstanding‘, and she brings it to bear in relation to fund formations; while Craig Borthwick is another key name for hedge fund launches. Mikhaelle Schiappacasse  has substantial recent experience in assisting hedge funds with their investments and associate Dona Treska focuses on derivatives regulatory advice.

Fieldfisher handles structuring, launches, fund operation and charges, with particular expertise in derivatives trading and backed up with significant regulatory expertise throughout the firm’s network across Europe. Also in the derivatives team is Emma Spiers, who has a varied practice involving structured equity, credit and funding transactions. Dale Gabbert joined from Simmons & Simmons as head of funds in May 2021, bringing with him a strong track-record in hedge funds work, and experience in advising institutional investors. Former practice head Ron Feldman has since left the team for a role at K&L Gates LLP.

At Sidley Austin LLP, the hedge funds practice is integrated into the firm’s global offering, with the London office housing the European practice group, often working alongside colleagues in the US and Asia. The team is experienced in a range of fund strategies, including credit, fixed-income, managed futures, event-driven equity, and an increasingly active focus on cryptocurrency-related funds. Investment funds practice head James Oussedik takes the lead, with a specialism in fund formation and a focus on credit funds, although he is also active across a number of traditional hedge fund strategies. Stephen Ross is the name to note for asset management instructions, with a practice that emphasises hedge funds in the biotech, healthcare and protein sectors. Leonard Ng stands out for his regulatory expertise, particularly in relation to ESG and crypto assets.

Macfarlanes LLP is most focused on advising start-up managers, bringing together funds expertise with strong practitioners in the tax department. The group is particularly adept with alternative credit funds, where it advises large European credit managers with fund stables including liquid alternative credit products. The team is noted for its fund formation work, in particular pertaining to hybrid hedge funds. The overall funds team is led by Stephen Robinson , while Sam Brooks heads the hedge funds sub-group. Associate Emma Garnham is increasingly known for advising on structuring and regulation of hedge funds.

Shearman & Sterling LLP‘s lawyers work closely with the firm’s colleagues in the US to advise institutional fund managers on a variety of hedge fund issues, including US, UK and European regulations. The team is led by John Adams , a member of the investment funds group. Phil Baynes joined the group from Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP in May 2022, adding an expert in advising institutional investors on alternative investment programmes.