Silke Bernard
LinklatersWith ‘strong bench strength from the partners down to junior associates’, Linklaters has the the critical mass to handle a tremendous volume and range of work for many of the highest-profile international fund managers, particularly within the alternative asset space. Here the team excels in advising on complex cross-border matters and is noted for its cohesion ’and excellent ability to work well with other offices in the network’, including London. Team head Silke Bernard is ‘very well plugged in to many of the key industry forums and bodies’, ensuring she is abreast of market trends, including as these relate to the growing importance of ELTIFs. Of counsel Hermann Beythan is ’very well connected’ and is a ‘reassuring presence’ across a wide range of matters, including the structuring of RAIFs and funds of funds, as well as the creation of AIFMs and other regulatory issues. Other key members of the team include the ’thoughtful and commercial’ Claire Prospert, as well as the ‘highly technical’ counsel Adrien Timmermans, who along with Martin Mager spearheads the team’s investor-side work.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The investment funds team is excellent in carrying out funds due diligence on very short notice.'
'The team is very cohesive and has an excellent ability to work well with other offices in the network.'
'They have strong bench strength from the partners down to junior associates.'
'Silke Bernard is a standout partner – she is very well plugged in to many of the key industry forums and bodies and she is great at sharing this information.'
‘Adrien Timmermans is highly technical and my trusted adviser on funds-related products. He has a very good knowledge of the market and can mobilise the right resources and leverage the Linklaters network to deliver top-quality legal advice.'
‘Hermann Beythan continues to be a reassuring presence and very well connected.'
'Raoul Heinen is on top of the detail of the law but also able to communicate in a concise and easy-to-understand manner. ’
'Claire Prospert is thoughtful and commercial. She can get comfortable with commercial nuances and risks and quickly determine the overlying legal issues.'
Key clients
- KKR
- Partners Group
- Ardian
- Carlyle
- HSBC
- DWS
- CBRE
- LaSalle
- Global Asset Management (GAM)
- AXA
- Unicredit
- KGAL
- Swisslife
- Siemens
- Blue Orchard
- Macquarie
- Montagu
- HgCapital
- Asset Management One (AMO)
- Alcentra
- Cromwell
Work highlights
- Advising Barings on the establishment of Barings Global Private Loan Fund 4 which is Barings’ fourth private credit fund product in relation to its flagship global private loan platform.
- Advising HSBC Asset Management on the fundraising of its fifth generation of impact fund-of-fund series and the structuring, establishment and fundraising of the sixth generation of HSBC’s infrastructure fund-of-funds series.
- Advising HgCapital and Montagu Private Equity on the acquisition of controlling stakes in the Waystone Group.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Hermann Beythan
LinklatersNext Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Martin Mager
LinklatersPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Silke Bernard