| Biography:
Christopher M. Wells is partner in the law firm Proskauer Rose LLP whose practice focuses on the organization and representation of hedge funds, funds of funds, private equity funds, registered investment companies, group trusts, commodity pools, investment advisers and commodity trading advisors.
Chris advises clients on all aspects of fund formation and ongoing compliance with securities, commodities and tax laws. His clients range from large institutional investment advisers to small independent fund managers.
Chris has organized on-shore and off-shore open and closed-end funds using a wide range of investment and trading strategies throughout the world, ranging from private equity investments to sophisticated futures and derivatives trading strategies. In particular, he has been especially active in the formation of funds offered simultaneously to investors in multiple jurisdictions, and in the development of tax-efficient management structures for U.S. and non-U.S. investment management organizations.
Chris is a frequent speaker at conferences on investment funds and money managers, and is the author of various articles on the private equity and hedge fund industries. Recent speaking engagements and articles include “Lessons from the SEC’s Efforts to Regulate Hedge Funds,” Administrative and Regulatory Law News, Spring 2008; “Unique Funds of Funds Challenges,” Hedge Fund Tax, Accounting and Administration Master Class, May 2008; “Investment Adviser Registration,” New York City Bar Association, April 2008; “Selecting Fund Managers: New Risks in a New Environment,” New Frontiers in Hedge Fund Due Diligence, March 2008; “Registration as an Investment Adviser and Compliance Issues,” New York City Bar Association, May 2007; “Hedge Fund Regulation and Compliance”, IIR, April 2007; “Establishing a Comprehensive Risk Profile for Your Organization,” 2nd Annual Chief Compliance Officer Forum, March 2007; “Evolving Regulatory Framework for Hedge Funds,” Managed Funds Association, January 2007; “The SEC’s Regulation of Hedge Funds (or Not),” American Bar Association Administrative Law Conference, October 2006; “New Hedge Fund Adviser Rule,” New York City Bar Association, May 2006; “The Hedge Fund Perspective,” Atlantic Mezzanine/Middle Market Finance Conference, May 2006; “Deciphering SEC Guidance: Learn Who Must Register and Why,” Hedge Fund Regulation & Compliance, May 2006; “The New Hedge Fund Adviser Registration Rule,” Managed Funds Association, January 2006; “Legal Risks of Investments in Hedge Funds,” Managing Hedge Fund Risk, 2nd Ed., 2005; “New SEC Rules Affecting Hedge Funds,” Hedge Fund Regulation & Compliance, October 2005; “Legal Developments Affecting Hedge Funds,” International Investment and Securities Review, April 2005; “Emerging Market Opportunities”, Wharton Private Equity Conference, January 2005; “U.S. Regulation of Alternative Investment Vehicles,” The Capital Guide to Alternative Investment, 2001; “Organizing and Structuring Offshore Funds,” The Capital Guide to Offshore Funds, 2001.
Before joining Proskauer Rose in 2005, Chris was a partner at Coudert Brothers LLP, where he was head of the Global Investment Funds Practice and a member of the Executive Board. He received his B.A. from Kalamazoo College in 1978 and his J.D. from the University of Michigan in 1981. Chris was named a New York Super Lawyer in 2007, and was recognized in the 2006-2007 edition of Best Lawyers in America, the 2007 edition of US Legal 500 and the 2008 editions of Chambers USA and Who’s Who in Private Investment Funds.
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