A&O Shearman‘s investment funds cohort advises its longstanding clients, who range from prominent asset managers to large institutional investors on the gamut of investment funds-related matters. Its work covers numerous jurisdictions and ranges from initial planning and documentation, to advising on various fund structures and restructures. ‘Excellent and hands-on’ practitioner Ellen Cramer de Jong advises international clients on regulatory regimes, securities matters and private equity and infrastructure funds. She heads the team alongside tax specialist Rens Bondrager. ‘Creative in coming up with solutions’ associate Yorben van Steveninck has a focus on funds that are managed by AIFMs.

The investment funds practice at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek is well-equipped to provide the full range of expertise to deal with the complex matters for its array of noteworthy clients, the list of which features numerous investment management companies. A significant portion of the team’s workload is regulatory; such work is the specialism of January 2023-promoted partner Mariska Enzerink who now co-leads the offering alongside vastly experienced and ‘exceptional’ funds practitioner Kees Groffen. The team has capabilities handling transformative transactions from fund raising to the structuring of large funds, often in international contexts and involving values consistently in the billions of euros.

Ate Veenstra who has noteworthy expertise in European fund structuring products and markets, and Quirine Eenhorst who focuses on private funds work, co-lead the investment funds team at Jones Day. A significant portion of its workload includes advising its notable client roster on the structuring, formation and fundraising aspects of multi-million euro funds, which range from venture capital to private equity. Tax, regulatory, and documentation and negotiation-related advice are frequently key elements of the team’s matters. The practice has been bolstered at senior associate level with the arrival of Kate Watchorn from Dillon Eustace in February 2023, and Benne Brouwer from Loyens & Loeff in October 2023. Associate Anouk in den Kleef is note also, whilst former associate Pim Stokman departed to an in-house role in August 2023.

The 'go to' investment funds practice at Loyens & Loeff is a collaboration of legal, tax and regulatory specialists advising its portfolio of well-known investment management clients on the full scope of matters. Key practitioners include tax expert Marco de Lignie who is highly rated for his handling of complex funds in international contexts. Also notable is ‘fund structuring expert’ Robert Veenhoven, who advises on the formation, structuring and management of private equity, venture capital, infrastructure and renewable energy funds. ‘True go-to practitioner in the field’ Vilmar Feenstra and regulatory specialist Roderik Boogaard, who is experienced handling AIFMD, EuVECA, MiFID2 regulations, are also of note. Specialist in international fund management Joep Ottervanger heads up the practice.

Fund financing specialist Nienke van Stekelenburgh is at the helm of Clifford Chance’s investment funds offering, alongside counsels Robert Smits and Tjerk De Jonge, who is experienced advising clients on the establishment and structuring of investment funds and corporate transactions. The team is formed of practitioners who specialise in handling matters relating to corporate, tax, financing and regulatory aspects of funds work. Fund managers and investors form its roster of clients. Much of the team’s workload involves advising on investments, co-investments and financings at international level, namely in Europe and the US. Senior counsel Marian Scheele and Michiel Sunderman are highly regarded for their provision of ‘excellent advice.’

Houthoff‘s investment funds team is known for its ‘diversity of knowledge and experience'  and ‘unique perspective’ as it takes on a range of work. It is headed up by London and Amsterdam-based practitioner Oscar van Angeren. Assisting its well-known clients on the structuring, formation and management of funds forms a large portion of the team’s caseload; its workload is often of noteworthy value, consistently reaching the billions. The team’s client roster includes entities from a variety of industry sectors, and features an array of pension funds. ‘Exceptionally good lawyer’ Marthe Bollen is a noteworthy counsel within the team with experience in the establishment, restructuring and due diligence aspects of investment funds.

The investment funds practice at NautaDutilh is well-equipped to handle the array of funds work, namely involving fund management in relation to real estate, mortgage, and sustainability and ESG impact-related funds, as well as AIFMDs. The team also assists its fund manager clients with the implementation of ESG policies. Team co-lead Larissa Silverentand has impressive experience advising on the regulatory aspects of funds, which is the key focus of the firm. Silverentand harnesses regulatory expertise more broadly also and is supported by co-heads Frans van der Eerden, who specialises in AIFMD and structuring work, and fund structuring and distribution specialist Jasha Sprecher.

‘Stellar lawyer’ Marcel van den Nieuwenhuijzen is at the helm of Orange Clover Law‘s investment funds cohort which has a strong reputation for its capabilities assisting clients on regulatory and investment management-related work. It also advises on issues relating to securitization vehicles. The team’s caseload frequently involves supporting its clients through documentation, regulatory, compliance and strategy aspects of funds which are often cross-jurisdictional in nature; it also assists with closings. Its client list features pension administrators, trust sponsors and fund managers. Duco Poppema is an associate to note, with experience in regulatory, private equity and investment work and Alex Gonzalez is noted for knowledge of the local market and providing 'practical advice'.

The investment funds offering at Simmons & Simmons has strong capabilities advising its plethora of clients on their investments in a range of funds, often international in scope. It advises on the contractual and regulatory elements of funds. Green fund and climate fund work forms a large portion of the team’s workload, which often has cross-jurisdictional scope and is of significant value, a key example being its work advising &Green Fund on its new partnership with CAFI regarding a $50m investment into commercial operations in the Congo. The team also frequently handles matters involving reimbursable grants. Iris Dingemans is at the team’s helm with support from René van Eldonk.

The investment funds team at Van Doorne  is well-equipped to assist its client list on the array of management-related work. Its workload includes advising on evergreen fund vehicles, renewable energy funds, and on the range of fund formation matters. In addition to its transactional assistance, the team also supports its clients through related regulatory issues at both domestic and pan-European level. Daan Horsthuis has notable expertise in investment funds, and co-heads the team alongside experienced counsel Harm-Paul Plas, who is focused on work involving the structuring and restructuring of funds in particular. Senior associate Elise Stormmesand is a name to note.

The investment funds practice at financial regulatory boutique Finnius is well-regarded for its regulatory capabilities. Tim de Wit leads the team and is known for his abilities advising on AIFMD, EuVECA and UCITS-related matters in particular, namely in relation to the obtaining of relevant licenses and such preparatory issues. Rosemarijn Labeur co-leads alongside de Wit and also has expertise in the range of regulatory work.

Osborne Clarke‘s investment funds cohort has strong capabilities handling the remit of financial regulatory-related work for its range of clients; this is the area of expertise of ‘excellent team lead’ Johannes de Jong. Real estate, retail and crypto funds are the key focuses of the group, and it assists on matters therein ranging from the reorganisation and restructuring, to the acquisition and documentation of key funds. Structuring and documentation matters are the developing specialism of associate Matthijs Leijendekker.