New York – 919 Third Avenue
Represents private funds (including hedge funds, private equity funds, hybrid funds and funds of funds) and investment advisers in connection with their structuring, formation and ongoing operational needs, general securities laws matters, and regulatory and compliance issues.
John’s experience includes structuring and negotiating seed and strategic investments and structuring and negotiating co-investment vehicles, managed accounts, “funds of one,” joint ventures and other strategic relationships.
- Expert Guides Rising Stars – Investment Funds, 2021, 2022
- IFLR1000 – Rising Star, Investment Funds, 2021
- Syracuse University College of Law, JD, cum laude, Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce
- Brandeis International Business School, MA
- Brandeis University, BA
- New Jersey
- New York
Abraham Schwartz
New York – 919 Third Avenue
Advises on shareholder activism and engagement, proxy contests, M&A, corporate governance, and related matters.
Abraham has experience representing and providing strategic advice to investors of all stripes on matters of shareholder engagement, including public and private letter-writing campaigns, shareholder proposals, proxy contests, takeovers, settlement negotiations and cooperation agreements, vote challenges, and securities law and regulatory compliance.
He has worked on some of the most significant campaigns in the activist space, including the largest proxy fight in history, representing Engine No. 1 in its successful campaign for board representation at Exxon Mobil, as well as campaigns at Disney, FedEx, Canadian National Railway, Moody’s, and Treehouse Foods, among others. Select client representations include Trian, Corvex, Politan, JANA, D. E. Shaw, Sachem Head, TCI, Kimmeridge, and Caligan Partners.
In the closed end fund space, Abraham has advised on numerous campaigns, including representing Saba Capital in many of its landmark victories.
Abraham’s work has been featured in leading publications, including Bloomberg Law, the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance, Proxy Monitor and Global Legal Chronicle.
- Harvard Law School, JD, Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, , Harvard National Security Journal, Editor, Editor
- Fairleigh Dickinson University, BA, with honors
- New York
Chris Hamilton
New York – 919 Third Avenue
Chris practices in the Investment Management Group.
- Boston University School of Law, JD
- Bryant University, BA
- New York
Daniel R. Neer
New York – 919 Third Avenue
Represents private funds (including hedge funds, private equity funds, hybrid funds and funds of funds) and investment advisers in connection with their structuring, formation and ongoing operational needs, and on regulatory and compliance matters.
- Syracuse University College of Law, JD, cum laude, Syracuse Law Review, Editorial Staff
- Boston College, BA
- New York
- German
David A. Curtiss
New York – 919 Third Avenue
David Curtiss advises on capital markets transactions, public company advisory matters, and hybrid capital and special situations investments. His experience includes representing sponsors, issuers, investors, and investment banks in equity and debt capital markets transactions, in- and out-of-court restructuring transactions, exchange offers, and consent solicitations. His equity experience includes initial public offerings (IPOs), de-SPAC transactions and other public securities offerings, private investment in public equities (PIPEs), private preferred equity placements, and tender offers.
David regularly counsels public companies and boards of directors on transactions, board service, and public reporting obligations, among other matters. His debt experience spans high-yield and investment grade bonds, in- and out-of-court restructuring transactions and exchange offers, and consent solicitations.
While in law school, David was editor in chief of the American University International Law Review.
Hybrid capital
Represented ContextLogic Holdings, Inc. (OTC: LOGC) in its $907.5 million acquisition of US Salt
Represented ContextLogic (OTC: LOGC) in connection with the $150 million committed investment by BC Partners into one of its subsidiaries and its subsequent internal reorganization into ContextLogic
Represented Commodore Capital as co-lead investor in the $185 million PIPE financing for Avalo Therapeutics, Inc.’s acquisition of AlmataBio, Inc.
- Gettysburg College, Young Alumni Achievement Award for Career Development, 2019
- American University Washington College of Law, JD, cum laude
- Gettysburg College, BA
- New York
- New Jersey
- English
Julian M. Wise
New York – 919 Third Avenue
Julian Wise is a Co-Managing Partner of the firm’s New York offices. Julian is a nationally recognized real estate lawyer who represents institutional and non-institutional lenders, owners/operators, and investors in a broad range of commercial real estate transactions.
Julian’s representations include:
- On the lender side – structuring and negotiation of senior and multi-tranched mezzanine financings, intercreditor agreements, co-lender and participation agreements, and loan portfolio acquisitions, dispositions, and restructurings
- On the owner/operator side – acquisitions, dispositions, and multi-trenched financings of office, retail, hotel, and multifamily properties, joint venture, and preferred equity agreements
His clients include private equity firms, major financial and commercial lending institutions and developers, and owners of commercial, industrial, retail, office, hotel, and large-scale residential properties.
Julian has represented clients in some of the most high-profile real estate transactions, including, among others:
- A major national retail grocery chain in connection with its $2 billion financing of approximately 400 grocery stores and distribution centers in 14 states
- A major private equity firm in connection with its multibillion-dollar acquisition of retail properties across the United States
- Several major private equity firms in over $5 billion in senior and mezzanine financings across the United States
- A private equity firm on its acquisition of AT&T’s Yellow Pages (a transaction that was secured by real estate and other assets located across the United States)
- A real estate fund in the acquisition and subsequent disposition of trophy buildings across the United States, including the Gucci Building located on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California
- A major private equity firm in the acquisition, financing, and disposition of the Innkeepers hotel portfolio
- Selected as a leading real estate lawyer by:
- Chambers USA, New York: Real Estate: Finance, 2013-2026
- Lawdragon, 500 Leading Dealmakers in America, 2027
- The Legal 500 US
- New York Super Lawyers, 2010-2026
- Named to Real Estate Forum’s “Deals & Dealmakers” and “Financial Influencers” list
- American Bar Association
- New York City Bar Association
- Fordham University School of Law, JD
- Emory University, BA, Honor Council
- New York
Peter G. Naismith
New York – 919 Third Avenue
Advises hedge funds, private equity funds, hybrid funds, and investment advisers in connection with their structuring, formation, and ongoing operational needs, as well as on certain regulatory and compliance matters. Also represents several institutional and high-net-worth investors. Head of Investor Representation.
Peter represents a wide variety of institutional and entrepreneurial fund sponsors and asset managers in connection with their structuring, formation, and ongoing operational needs, and certain regulatory and compliance matters. In addition, he represents institutional and high-net-worth investors in connection with commingled fund, “fund of one,” rated note feeder, managed account, and seed investments. He also has extensive experience advising on mergers and acquisitions, including a range of complex, high-value public and private transactions across a number of industry sectors.
- Advises managers of hedge, private equity and hybrid funds regarding structure, formation, marketing and ongoing operational issues and transactional matters across a broad range of asset classes.
- Structures and negotiates commingled products, managed accounts and “funds of one,” and negotiates commingled fund, seed, joint venture and strategic investments on behalf of both managers and investors, including asset managers, pension funds, high-net-worth individuals and family offices, and insurance companies.
- Advises managers regarding carry-sharing arrangements and other incentive compensation systems.
- Chambers USA, Hedge Funds and Investment Funds: Investor Representation
- Help For Children, Global Board of Directors, former member
- Duke University School of Law, LLM, magna cum laude
- University of Melbourne, LLM, Commercial, with honors
- University of South Australia, Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice
- The Flinders University of South Australia, LLB, with first class honors
- New York
- English
Joseph A. Smith
New York – 919 Third Avenue
Co-Head of Private Equity Funds. Represents private equity fund sponsors in connection with fund formation, the acquisition of portfolio investments and the implementation of exit strategies.
Joe represents private equity fund sponsors in connection with fund formation, the acquisition of portfolio investments and the implementation of exit strategies. In this capacity, he advises clients on securities, governance, compliance, operational and structural issues. Joe has extensive regulatory knowledge, and wide-ranging experience with all alternative asset classes, including LBO funds, venture capital and later-stage growth equity funds, energy and infrastructure funds, credit funds, real estate funds and joint ventures, fund restructurings and other complex secondary transactions, including GP-led recapitalizations and the disposition of large institutional portfolios. He has also represented many fund managers in connection with stakes deals, spinoffs and consolidations.
In addition to domestic representations, Joe has advised private equity clients in connection with the acquisition and structuring of portfolio investments throughout Europe, Latin America and Asia. His representation of asset managers in the real estate sector includes advice concerning REIT offerings and privatizations, partnership roll-ups and cross-border investments.
- Chambers Global
- Chambers USA
- Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Banking, Finance and Transactional Law Lawyers – Investment Funds, Private Equity
- The Legal 500 US
- New York Super Lawyers
- Business Today Lawyer Awards
- Top 10 Pioneering US Private Equity Fund Formation Lawyers, 2023
- American Bar Association
- New York City Bar Association
- Queen Elizabeth II Garden at Hanover Square
- Directorship: Theatre for a New Audience, 1990-2000
- New York University School of Law, JD
- Columbia University, AB
- New York
Mark E. Brossman
New York – 919 Third Avenue
Areas of concentration include all aspects of employment law, ERISA, labor relations, education law and related litigation.
Mark is well-known for his broad experience in legal issues impacting the workplace, including employment law, labor law, ERISA and education law.
He is counsel to numerous educational institutions, including independent schools, colleges, universities, professional training programs and education-related associations. He also serves as counsel to many investment management and private equity firms; banks, and financial institutions; large multi- and single-employer employee benefit plans; healthcare institutions, including nursing homes and home care employers; and a wide variety of other clients.
- Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2008-2027
- “Lawyer of the Year” in Employment Law – Management in New York City, The Best Lawyers in America, 2022
- Exclusive Featured Attorney for New York, Premier Employment Lawyers, 2021
- Exclusive Featured Attorney for New York, Premier Education Lawyers, 2020-2021
- “Lawyer of the Year” in Labor Law – Management in New York City, The Best Lawyers in America, 2020
- New York Super Lawyers, Employment & Labor, Schools & Education, Employee Benefits, 2006-2026
- Lawyers Alliance for New York – 15-Year Circle Honoree, 2014
- Honoree, Basil Paterson Scholarship Program, 2014 (to provide tuition and support to home care workers pursuing technical or professional healthcare careers), 1199 SEIU Home Care Education Fund
- WHEDco Pro Bono Leadership Award, 2014
- New York State Bar Association Empire State Counsel Honoree, 2013-2014
- “Good Scout” Award, Westchester-Putnam Boy Scouts, 2011
- Chair, Advisory Council, Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, 2008-2010
- Top 100: The Nation’s Most Powerful Employment Attorneys – Top 10 for ERISA Law, Human Resource Executive 2009 (list chosen by Lawdragon)
- Cornell University ILR School Judge William B. Groat Alumni Award 2008 (for achievement in the field of industrial relations)
- Robert Briscoe Award, The Emerald Isle Immigration Center, 2007
- First Annual Award for Pro Bono Leadership, Lawyers Alliance for New York, 2006
- “Special Recognition Award,” Home Care Council of New York City, 2003
- Cornerstone Award (for outstanding pro bono service to New York nonprofit organizations), Lawyers Alliance for New York, 2003
- “Principal for a Day,” PENCIL, 2000-2003
- “Advocate for the Aging,” Council of Senior Citizens Centers, 1998
- Guide to the World’s Leading Labour and Employment Lawyers, Euromoney, 1997
- Academy of Employee Benefits Authors, 1981
- Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations Lecturer, Labor Relations Studies Program 1980-2004
- Columbia University Teacher’s College Instructor, 1996-2000
American Bar Association
- Section on Labor and Employment Law, Committee on State Law Developments, 1980-2008
- Chairperson, AIDS and other Communicable Diseases Subcommittee, 1989-1994
New York State Bar Association
- Executive Committee, 2002-2008
- Committee on Employee Benefits, 1989-2008; Chair, 2004-08; Co-Chair, 2002-2003
- Labor and Employment Law Section, Committee on Labor Relations Law, 1984-1988
New York City Bar Association
- Committee to Enhance Diversity in the Profession, 1995-2006
- Committee on Minorities in the Profession, 1998-2006
- Task Force on Minorities, 1995-1998
- Committee on Employee Benefits, 1993-1997
- Special Committee on Legal Support Staff, 1992-1995
Boards
- Advisory Board, Labor and Employment Law Program, Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations
- Advisory Council, Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations
- Board of Advisors, Lawyers Alliance for New York
- Board of Advisors, The Martin and Laurie Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution at the Cornell University ILR School
- Board of Directors, New York University School of Law, Center for Labor and Employment Law
- Trustee Emeritus, Montefiore Health System Inc.
- Cornell University Council
Membership Associations
- Education Law Association
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
- National Association of Independent Schools
- National Business Officers Association
- Cornell University Council
- Life Member
- New York University School of Law, LLM
- New York University School of Law, JD
- Cornell University, BS
- New York
- Supreme Court of the United States
- US District Court, Western District of New York
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
Stephanie R. Breslow
New York – 919 Third Avenue
Co-Head of Credit Funds. Maintains a diverse practice that includes liquid funds, private equity funds and the structuring of investment management businesses and focuses on the formation of private equity funds (including LBO, mezzanine, distressed, real estate and venture) and liquid-securities funds (including hedge funds, hybrid funds, credit funds and activist funds) as well as providing regulatory advice to investment managers.
Stephanie also represents fund sponsors and institutional investors in connection with seed-capital investments in fund managers and acquisitions of interests in investment management businesses and funds of funds and other institutional investors in connection with their investment activities, including blockchain technology and virtual currency offerings and transactions.
Listed as a leading private funds lawyer in many publications, including:
-
- Financier Worldwide Magazine – 2025 Investment Funds Power Player
- Chambers Global
- Chambers USA, Band 1, Hedge Funds; Band 3, Private Equity: Fund Formation
- IFLR1000 Women Leaders
- The Legal 500 US – Hall of Fame
- Crain’s Notable Women in Law
- Best Lawyers in America, Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law, 2026-2027
- Attorney Intel – The Top 25 Blockchain and Digital Assets Attorneys of 2025
- Expert Guide to the Best of the Best USA – Investment Funds
- Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Banking, Finance and Transactional Law Lawyers – Investment Funds, Private Equity
- Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law – Investment Funds
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Dealmakers in America
- Lexology Index Thought Leaders: USA 2026 – Private Funds Formation
- Thomson Reuters, Stand-out Lawyer – independently rated lawyers, 2026
- New York Super Lawyers – Top Women Attorneys in the New York Metro Area
- PLC Cross-Border Investment Funds Handbook
- Who’s Who Legal Awards – Private Funds Lawyer of the Year, 2020
- Who’s Who Legal: The International Who’s Who of Private Funds Lawyers – ranked as one of the world’s “Most Highly Regarded Individuals”; ranked at the top of the world’s 2014 “Most Highly Regarded Individuals” list
- Who’s Who Legal: The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers – ranked as one of the world’s “Top Ten Private Equity Lawyers”
- Who’s Who Legal Awards 2014 – “Private Funds Lawyer of the Year”
- New York State Bar Association Empire State Counsel Honoree
- The Hedge Fund Journal – named one of the 50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds
- Euromoney Legal Media Group’s inaugural Americas Women in Business Law Awards – named “Best in Investment Funds”
- Euromoney Legal Media Group’s Americas Women in Business Law Awards 2019 – named “Outstanding Practitioner”
- Girl Scouts of Greater New York – named one of the 2012 Women of Distinction
- Chair, Private Investment Funds Subcommittee, 2014-2016; Vice-Chair, 2012-2014; Secretary, 2009-2012 – IBA Investment Funds Committee, International Bar Association
- Founding Member and Steering Committee, Wall Street Hedge Fund Forum
- Founding Member and Past Chair, Private Investment Fund Forum
- Committee of Hearts, Hedge Funds Care, 2003-2004
- Member, Board of Directors, 100 Women in Finance, 2014-2016
- Advisory Board, Former Third Way Capital Markets Initiative
- Board of Trustees, The Joyce Theater, New York
- Board of Visitors, Columbia Law School
- Corporation Law Committee, 1993-1996; Chair, Subcommittee on Business Trusts, 1995-1996; Committee on the Revised Uniform Partnership Act, 1993-1996 – New York City Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Girl Scouts of Greater New York
- Columbia Law School, JD, Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
- Harvard University, BA, cum laude
- New York
- Registered Foreign Lawyer (England & Wales)