Robert Leonard is a partner in the Hedge Funds Group. For more than 30 years Rob has been structuring, organizing and representing hedge funds, funds of funds and other private investment funds (both domestic and offshore), family offices, institutional investors and investment advisers.
He has structured and organized numerous master-feeder, side-by-side and mini-master-feeder funds for hedge fund managers engaged in myriad strategies, including long/short equity, multi-strat, credit, distressed credit, mortgage-backed securities, risk arb, emerging markets, global macro, stat arb, relative value, event driven and direct lending.
Rob has advised managers on seed deals, founder’s classes, funds of one and placement agreements and develops innovative ways of building asset bases. He also has worked with managers on bringing in and retaining talent through structuring employment, “phantom” equity and true equity arrangements.
Rob has handled a variety of regulatory and other compliance matters, including registrations with the SEC, CFTC and state regulators, filing Form PF and filings with the Treasury Department and Bureau of Economic Analysis. In addition, he works on SEC and other regulatory examinations and investigations, as well as investor and third-party actions. Rob is also recognized as a national leader on alternative data where he counsels clients on due diligence on data providers, risk assessment and document negotiation.
Notes Editor, Brooklyn Law Review
Best Lawyers in America 2021-2023
Chambers USA: Nationwide: Investment Funds: Hedge Funds 2015-2022
Chambers Global: USA: Investment Funds: Hedge Funds 2015-2022
New York Super Lawyers 2006–2009, 2016-2022
The Legal 500 United States: Investment Fund Formation & Management: Alternative/Hedge Funds 2008, 2012, 2015-2022