For 100 years, Calfee has been an active participant in the private investment arena, representing issuers and investors in every type and aspect of a transaction, whether categorized as fund formation, venture capital or other private equity investments, or leveraged-buyout transactions. We assist clients in all aspects of the formation and governance of investment funds, ranging from the most basic investor syndications to increasingly complex private equity funds, including venture capital funds, leveraged‑buyout funds, mezzanine capital funds, hedge funds, mutual funds, special purpose funds and “fund‑of‑funds.” Our attorneys also work closely with clients seeking and providing venture capital and private equity investments, including providing counsel on structuring matters. We regularly represent investor groups, both institutional investors and individual or angel investors, in minority ownership investments, as well as in “control buys.”

Our practice covers the full range of legal needs for a leveraged‑buyout investment, including forming the investment vehicle and preparing the necessary offering memoranda and subscription materials. We also provide counseling with respect to investor relationships and corporate governance matters, tax planning, structuring promoter and employee compensation and incentive programs, compliance with state and federal securities and investment company laws, and negotiating and documenting portfolio company investments. We regularly assist clients involved in LBOs with senior secured financings and/or subordinated debt investments, as well as the inter-creditor arrangements that are involved. Our diverse client base and years of experience provide clients with assurance that we have witnessed the many different perspectives within a capital structure. This understanding allows us to provide well-rounded advice that meshes with the practicalities of a given private investment situation.

Calfee has represented a wide variety of institutions involved in all aspects of asset management. We have extensive experience with a broad spectrum of investment funds and also represent fund managers, including registered investment advisors, and private money managers using lawyers in our Private Investment practice, as well as lawyers in our sophisticated Securities and Capital Markets practice. In addition, we counsel placement agents, registered broker‑dealers, custodians and fiduciaries, including the investment management personnel of many banks and their trust and investment departments.