Debevoise Announces New Funds Regulatory Counsel in London

24 September 2018

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP today announced John Young has joined the firm’s Funds/Investment Management Group as an international counsel in London.

Mr. Young advises asset managers on a wide range of regulatory issues impacting the sector, including AIFMD, MiFID and EMIR. He previously worked at a U.S. law firm in London.

His arrival comes at a time of significant growth for Debevoise’s Funds/Investment Management Group. Matt Dickman (international counsel – London) and Jennifer R. Graff (counsel – New York) both joined the Group last month. Those arrivals followed the additions of Patricia Volhard (Frankfurt/London) and Simon Witney (London) to the European team last year, and the recent promotions of John W. Rife III (London) to partner, and of Jin-Hyuk Jang (Frankfurt) to international counsel.

Geoffrey Kittredge, partner and chair of the European Funds/Investment Management Group at Debevoise, comments: “Fund formation capability and regulatory knowhow go hand-in-hand in the current climate. As such, we remain committed to giving our clients access to the very best funds and regulatory lawyers possible. John’s arrival is the latest expression of that promise. His pedigree advising a variety of funds is impressive, as is his insight into the regulatory environment they operate in. I’m certain he’ll be a strong addition to our senior team.”

Patricia Volhard, partner and head of the European funds regulatory practice at Debevoise, comments: “It has never been more important for funds to have access to top quality regulatory advice rooted in their industry. The various implications of Brexit are just the latest in a series of regulatory challenges to have arisen since the financial crisis. At Debevoise, we have built a team that helps our clients thrive in that environment. John fits very well within that vision. His track record speaks for itself, and I’m excited to welcome him to the team”

One of the largest and most diverse practices of its kind, Debevoise’s Funds/Investment Management Group has advised sponsors of, or investors in, more than 2,100 private investment funds with committed capital of well over $2.6 trillion. With a global network of lawyers and deep international experience, the practice counsels across the entire life cycle of a fund – covering organisation and economic arrangements for sponsors, fund formation, downstream transactions, exits, firm and fund restructurings, buy-side work, secondaries and wind downs. The team remains at the cutting edge of market developments, and responds quickly to, and even anticipates, changes in market practice, offering clients a significant competitive advantage.

Debevoise & Plimpton is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. We deliver effective solutions to our clients’ most important legal challenges, applying clear commercial judgment and a distinctively collaborative approach.