Debevoise & Plimpton LLP announced today that Sheena Paul has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as counsel in the Investment Management Group’s U.S. regulatory practice. Ms. Paul brings to the firm extensive experience advising asset managers and institutional investors on a broad range of U.S. regulatory matters, including on issues arising under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Securities Act of 1933. In her new role, Ms. Paul will broaden the Group’s ability to provide senior-level regulatory advice to asset managers, with a particular focus on our private fund sponsor clients. She will also provide regulatory guidance to the firm’s other practices related to domestic and cross-border corporate and capital markets transactions, and enforcement matters.
“The investment management industry has proven exceptionally resilient over the last year, and our practice continues to grow significantly year over year to meet client demand,” said Lorna Bowen, Chair of the firm’s U.S. Investment Management Group. “Sheena’s broad experience and focus on the regulatory and compliance issues that most impact the operations of our core client base will continue the growth of our best-in-class regulatory practice alongside our transactional funds practice.”
Marc Ponchione, a partner in the Investment Management Group who focuses on regulatory, compliance and transactional issues, added, “With the Biden administration signaling a more active regulatory posture toward asset managers and the far reach of the U.S. regulatory regime across global asset management activities, we need to continue adding top regulatory talent for both our U.S. and non-U.S. clients. Sheena’s arrival complements our global funds-focused regulatory capabilities, which we enhanced last year through the opening of our Luxembourg office and the arrival of Christopher Dortschy, and also expands our ability to support the continued growth of our private equity and capital markets practices.”
Ms. Paul previously worked in the asset management group of another international law firm. She received her B.A. from Macalester College in 2007 and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2012.
Debevoise is a recognized leader in the private funds industry, having advised sponsors of, or investors in, more than 3,100 private investment funds with committed capital of well over $3.4 trillion. Guided by a driving commitment to client service, the firm’s Investment Management Group advises a global roster of fund sponsors and institutional investors across all major investment strategies, covering organization and economic arrangements for sponsors, fund formation, downstream transactions, exits, firm and fund restructurings, investor-side work, secondaries and wind downs. The team’s collaborative approach engages the firm’s entire range of talent and capabilities, creating a significant competitive advantage in anticipating and responding to market forces.