Notable US-based asset managers, including Apollo Global Management, Blackstone Credit and TCW Asset Management are key clients for the Clifford Chance private funds group, with the team frequently advising on credit fund formations, real estate debt funds, GP-led restructurings and secondary transactions mandates. The New York-based team is especially strong on cross-border mandates is jointly led by credit funds and real estate focused funds expert Michael Sabin and Clifford Cone, who works on fund formations across hedge, private equity and registered funds for the firms major clients. Further key practitioners in this space are Susan Burkhardt who is praised by clients as being ‘top tier for debt funds’, and Daniel Drabkin who is well regarded for his work with private credit secondaries funds. Enoch Varner joined the firm's Houston office in June 2023 from Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The partners in the practice are all excellent, and between them they cover all strategies. They are sensible and constructive, well-rounded and user-friendly.’
‘Susan Burkhardt is top-class for debt funds - easy to deal with and constructive in building consensus rather than division. She gets jobs done well, on time without ego and grandstanding.’
Key clients
- Apollo Global Management
- BentallGreenOak
- BlackRock
- Blackstone Credit
- Capital Dynamics AG
- Cathay Capital
- Credit Suisse Asset Management
- DigitalBridge (formerly Colony Capital)
- DRC Savills Investment Management
- IKAV Energy
- Jasper Ridge
- Kandeo
- Mercer Alternatives, Mercer Investments
- Montecito Medical Real Estate
- Northwind Group
- Nuveen Asset Management
- Partners Group
- PineBridge Investments
- PPC Enterprises
- OGCI Climate Investments
- Oxford Finance
- RREEF America / DWS
- Schroders Capital
- Star Mountain Capital
- TCW Asset Management
- Tikehau Capital North America
- Yellowstone Capital Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Partners Group on an overhaul of their entire library of template fund documents.
- Advised TCW Asset Management Company on several fund mandates.
- Advised Blackstone Credit in the formation of Blackstone Credit Hibiscus Fund LP and Blackstone Credit Hibiscus Feeder Fund LP targeting privately originated senior direct lending investments.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Michael Sabin, Clifford Cone