America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2009: Investment Funds

Chambers & Partners has compiled its independent and objective list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business based on comments gathered from thousands of interviews with clients and lawyers from Maine to Hawaii. This guide — which is designed to reflect market opinion — contains a view of the firms and attorneys who are considered leaders in their field.

In Chambers' 2009 review of national legal talent in the area of "Investment Funds," our Firm and our lawyers are listed among the best in the country.

Chambers' comments:

Investment Funds: Private Equity: Fund Formation
Nationwide Ranking: Tier 2

Rapidly expanding on to the global stage from its Midwest roots, this sponsor-side practice operates from coast to coast and is supported by additional teams in London and Hong Kong. Recent work includes providing ongoing fund formation advice to Madison Dearborn Capital Partners and CVC. Energy infrastructure funds have also been a particularly active source of work, as the representation of Energy Capital Partners in an energy fund worth $3.5 billion demonstrates. Working on this was Bruce Ettelson, an "absolutely top-notch, dynamite attorney." Heading the private funds group, he has made his name in the structuring of premier private equity funds and their management companies, and "always has his finger on the pulse of the market." Chris Kallos represents a range of major private equity firms, concentrating on fund formation and spinouts. "His pragmatism is of immense benefit," sources say. New York partner Kirk Radke balances fund work with LBO transactions and has many years of private equity experience. He "knows the intricacies of the industry at the highest possible level," sources say.

Investment Funds: REITS
Nationwide: Other Notable Practitioners

Bruce Gelman left Mayer Brown for Kirkland & Ellis LLP in April 2008. He provides broad tax-planning expertise and has continued to develop his practice, which focuses on advising offshore investors in the US REIT market.

Reprinted with permission from Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2009 — www.chambersandpartners.com.