Kirkland & Ellis has added investment funds partner James “Jamie” Hahn, strengthening the firm’s capabilities in retail-facing private market fund structures as individual investors continue to gain access to strategies historically reserved for institutions.
The firm said Hahn joins as a partner with a practice focused on structuring and operating regulated investment products that provide high-net-worth and other retail investors with exposure to private equity, asset-backed credit, infrastructure, and real estate. His work includes advising on retail-oriented structures for conglomerates, holding companies, private funds, and private REITs, as well as on product formats such as closed-end funds, mutual funds, and ETFs.
Kirkland described Hahn’s arrival as an addition to its growing retail funds practice. In this area, alternative investment managers and asset managers have been building new distribution channels and product designs to reach accredited and other individual investors through registered and semi-registered vehicles.
Hahn previously practiced as a partner at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. At Kirkland, he will join a global investment funds platform the firm says spans fund formation, liquidity solutions, investment management, regulatory counseling, and strategic advisory work. Kirkland also highlighted the scale of its investment funds practice, citing more than 600 dedicated investment funds attorneys and stating that since January 2019 it has advised on more than 1,900 funds closed and in process with total capital commitments exceeding $2.17 trillion.
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“Jamie is a talented lawyer whose experience working on funds with private market strategies for individual investors adds another important element to our growing retail funds practice,” said Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee. “We’re very excited to have him join Kirkland.”
Jon A. Ballis, Chairman Of Kirkland’s Executive Committee, Kirkland & Ellis
“We are excited to bring Jamie’s experience in the retail market to Kirkland’s investment funds group,” said Erica Berthou and Daniel Lavon-Krein, investment funds partners and members of Kirkland’s Executive Committee.
Erica Berthou, Investment Funds Partner And Member Of Kirkland’s Executive Committee, Kirkland & Ellis; Daniel Lavon-Krein, Investment Funds Partner And Member Of Kirkland’s Executive Committee, Kirkland & Ellis
“Jamie will be an ideal complement to our retail funds team as we continue to strengthen and expand Kirkland’s platform to meet our clients’ diverse needs.”
Nicole M. Runyan, Investment Funds Partner And Head Of Kirkland’s Registered Funds Practice, Kirkland & Ellis
“I’m eager to join Kirkland, which has a terrific investment funds platform with strong momentum in retail funds,” said Mr. Hahn. “I look forward to being part of this exceptional team.”
James “Jamie” Hahn, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis
