NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024: International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced today that Karen Chao has joined the Firm as a partner in the Private Funds practice, based in the New York office.

“Karen is a leading private funds lawyer with an excellent reputation for client service, and we are delighted to welcome her to the Firm,” said Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf. “Her outstanding experience and deep market knowledge will enable us to better serve our diverse range of clients.”

“Karen is a highly skilled attorney with a practice that fits extremely well into our Private Funds Group and our broader Private Equity platform,” said Michael J. Aiello, Chairman of Weil’s global Corporate Department. “She has a strong track record of success advising some of the world’s largest firms across a broad spectrum of fund formation matters, and will be a fantastic addition to our team.”

“As our Private Funds Group continues to expand to meet our clients’ needs in today’s dynamic fundraising environment, Karen’s arrival will further strengthen our ability to provide sophisticated legal advice across our client base – from some of the largest, most well-established players to emerging participants,” said Jonathon Soler, head of Weil’s U.S. Private Funds practice.

Karen’s practice focuses on the representation of alternative asset managers in the formation and structuring of private equity and other private investment fund vehicles. In addition to fund formation, she also advises sponsors on operational, regulatory, governance and other ongoing life of fund and sponsor matters. Karen has also represented prominent sovereign wealth funds and state pension funds in connection with their investments in private investment vehicles, including separate and managed accounts.

Karen joins from Goodwin Procter LLP, where she was a partner in the Private Equity practice, based in the firm’s New York office.

Karen’s arrival constitutes the fourth addition to Weil’s Private Funds Group in the last several months – following Kristine Koren who joined in July, as well as experienced private funds regulatory partners Christopher Mulligan, who joined Weil in March 2024, and Christopher Scully, who moved to the Firm in November 2023. Together, these moves reflect continued growth in the Private Funds Practice and the Firm’s Corporate Department as a whole.

“I am very excited to be joining Weil as the Firm continues to make significant investments in its Private Funds team to serve its clients,” said Karen. “I look forward to working alongside my talented new colleagues to assist our market-leading clients in their fund formation needs.”

About Weil’s Private Funds Practice

Weil’s Private Funds Practice has a global footprint, with highly ranked practitioners in the United States and Europe. Our team of more than 60 full-time dedicated private funds lawyers is able to serve all of our clients’ needs, wherever they are based and wherever they are raising funds. Our client base covers a broad range of the fund sponsor spectrum, from some of the largest, most well-established players to emerging participants. We have formed funds for a significant number of clients ranging from multi-billion dollar funds, to middle-market funds, to funds for emerging clients.

About Weil

Founded in 1931, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has been a preeminent provider of legal services for more than 90 years. With approximately 1,200 lawyers in offices on three continents, Weil has been a pioneer in the marketplace and a first-mover in the establishment of many significant practice areas. The Firm’s four departments, Corporate, Litigation, Restructuring, and Tax, Executive Compensation & Benefits, and more than two dozen practice groups are consistently recognized as leaders in their respective fields.