Overview

Paul Watt is a partner in Kirkland’s Investment Funds Group, based in San Francisco. He is a trusted advisor to founders and senior management of private investment firms on all aspects of their business — from raising capital to the structural and strategic decisions that shape the Firm itself, at every stage from spin-out and first fund through platform scale and strategic transactions. Having practiced extensively in London, New York and now San Francisco, he brings a global perspective to U.S. and European sponsors alike.

Paul has led fundraising programs for U.S. and international sponsors ranging from under $100 million to more than $18 billion, across venture, growth, buyout, secondaries, GP stakes, infrastructure and multi-strategy platforms, together with the co-investment vehicles and separately managed accounts that accompany them. His clients range from generalist firms to sector specialists, including in technology, software, healthcare, consumer and energy transition.

For emerging managers, he advises on spin-outs, seeding arrangements, management company formation and first-time funds. For established firms, he leads large, multi-jurisdictional fundraising programs and the product and strategy expansion that follows.

Paul also advises sponsors on continuation vehicles and other liquidity transactions. At the Firm level, he counsels clients on ownership and economics. He has advised sponsors on minority stake sales to strategic and financial investors and on GP-level preferred equity financings, representing both stakes investors and the firms they invest in, as well as on seed investments, governance and partner transitions.

More

Thought Leadership

Seminars 

Panelist, Strategic Minority Investments and Internal Firm Restructurings, 22nd Annual Columbia Business School Private Equity & Venture Capital Conference, New York, February 19, 2016

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • California 
  • New York
  • Admitted to practice as a Solicitor of England and Wales

Languages

  • English
  • French

Education

  • Fordham University School of LawLL.M., Banking, Corporate, and Finance Law
  • BPP Law School, LondonLegal Practice Course
  • BPP Law School, LondonGraduate Diploma in Law
  • Royal Holloway, University of LondonB.A., Historywith First Class Honours