Debevoise & Plimpton LLP today announced that highly regarded funds lawyers Lorna Bowen, Justin Storms and Andrew Ford will be joining the firm’s New York office as partners in the firm’s Funds Group on April 15, 2019.
“Lorna, Justin and Andrew are tremendously talented attorneys who are highly respected in the asset management industry. Their addition to our premier global investment funds practice is exciting for the firm, further enhancing the talent and resources we make available to our clients seeking exceptional fund formation advice,” said Michael W. Blair, the firm’s Presiding Partner.
Debevoise is a recognized leader in the private funds industry. Guided by a driving commitment to client service, the firm’s Funds Group advises a global roster of fund sponsors and institutional investors across all major investment strategies. Clients choose Debevoise for its mastery of the private funds market, its exceptional service and its focus on creative solutions. The team’s collaborative approach engages the firm’s entire range of talent and expertise, creating a significant competitive advantage in anticipating and responding to market forces.
“Our global funds practice broke all previous revenue records this past year, advising on more than 100 private funds targeting more than $125 billion in commitments. We look forward to the contributions of our exceptional new partners as we continue to deliver for our clients in 2019,” said Rebecca F. Silberstein, partner and co-chair of the firm’s Private Equity Group. “We have worked closely with Lorna, Justin and Andrew on complex client matters for years and have been impressed by the team’s creativity, keen insight and practical approach. Collectively, they have represented some of the world’s largest and most prestigious funds and will provide enormous value to our clients as our funds practice continues to grow.”
Ms. Bowen, Mr. Storms and Mr. Ford will join Debevoise from an international law firm, where Ms. Bowen served as the head of its Investment Funds Group in New York. The team represents a range of alternative asset managers, focusing on the structuring, formation and regulation of funds investing in all types of alternative asset classes, often as first movers.
“Debevoise has a stellar reputation around the world as a preferred partner for investment firms seeking the highest quality, most commercial, market-aware and creative advice,” said Ms. Bowen. “Justin, Andrew and I are looking forward to bringing our extensive experience and expertise in the private funds sector and our global relationships to further bolster the world-class, collaborative service that the firm delivers to clients. We are thrilled to be joining the Debevoise funds team.”
The new partner arrivals in New York will follow a period of significant growth for the global funds team, which includes the arrival of Patricia Volhard, one of the most experienced and well-regarded funds and regulatory lawyers in the European market, who joined the firm as a partner in the Frankfurt and London offices in 2017. That same year, Simon Witney, one of Europe’s most prominent private equity lawyers, also joined the London office as international counsel. The team in Europe also grew over the past year with the addition of Matthew Dickman and John Young, who joined the firm as international counsel, as well as the promotions of John Rife to partner and Jin-Hyuk Jang and Delphine Jaugey to international counsel.
About Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP 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.
About Debevoise & Plimpton LLP Funds/Investment Management Group
Debevoise’s Funds/Investment Management Group has advised sponsors of, or investors in, more than 2,300 private investment funds with committed capital of nearly $3 trillion. With a global network of lawyers and deep international experience, the practice counsels across the entire life cycle of a fund—covering organization and economic arrangements for sponsors, fund formation, downstream transactions, exits, firm and fund restructurings, buy-side work, secondaries and wind downs. The team works with clients pursuing all major investment strategies, including buyout, venture capital, senior and mezzanine debt, distressed, real estate, infrastructure, media and telecommunications, healthcare, energy and other sector funds, and funds of funds making primary and secondary investments.
About Lorna Bowen
Ms. Bowen joins Debevoise from an international law firm, where she was head of the firm’s Investment Funds Group in New York and counseled clients in the alternative asset management sector. Ranked as a leading lawyer by Chambers USA (2018), Ms. Bowen’s practice focuses on advising international asset managers on the establishment, operation and regulation of private fund products across the alternative fund spectrum including private credit, distressed debt, infrastructure, private equity and other products in the illiquid closed-end fund space, hedge funds and funds of funds. Ms. Bowen received her Bachelor of Civil Law (Euro Legal Studies) degree from University College Dublin/Université de Rouen.
About Justin Storms
Mr. Storms has successfully steered clients in the private alternative investment space at his previous firm, including the organization of traditional private investment funds and co-investment structures, the establishment of bespoke separately managed accounts and platforms, the development of “house” governance and compensation structures and select representations of institutional investors. He is recognized by Chambers USA (2018) as a leading lawyer. Mr. Storms received his J.D., magna cum laude, from New York University School of Law and earned his B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Texas.
About Andrew Ford
Through the course of his career, Mr. Ford has represented U.S. alternative asset managers on the structuring and establishment of a variety of private alternative investment products. Recognized as an “Up and Coming” lawyer by Chambers USA (2018), Mr. Ford has focused on raising private alternative investment funds targeting investment in private equity, infrastructure and natural resources sectors as well as investment products sourcing distressed investment opportunities and engaging in loan origination activities. Mr. Ford earned his LL.B., with honors, at the University of Nottingham.