Key Takeaways
- • McGuireWoods strengthens its nationally recognized private equity practice by recruiting partners Richard Starling and William Herrfeldt, both recognized specialists in investment fund formation and structuring.
- • Starling, who joins the Charlotte office from Robinson Bradshaw where he co-chaired the fund formation and investment management group, brings 25+ years of experience advising on buyout, venture capital, real estate, hedge funds, fund of funds, separately managed accounts, and bespoke investment vehicles.
- • Herrfeldt, recruited from Venable to the Baltimore office (where he previously served as an associate), focuses on emerging and established private fund managers, alternative investment managers, institutional investors, and real estate investment managers.
- • The hires directly enhance McGuireWoods' fund formation capabilities and its Emerging Manager Program, which provides introductions and guidance to first-time funds and newly organized sponsors—a strategic focus area for the firm.
- • Richard W. Viola, deputy managing partner of McGuireWoods' corporate practice, characterized both partners as "go-to lawyers for guidance on investment fund formation issues, particularly for first-time funds and newly organized sponsors."
Summary
McGuireWoods LLP has expanded its private equity practice by adding partners Richard Starling and William Herrfeldt as specialists in fund formation and alternative investment structuring. The announcement, made May 8, 2023, signals the firm's continued investment in its nationally recognized private equity capabilities.
Starling joins McGuireWoods' Charlotte office from Robinson Bradshaw, where he held the position of co-chair of the fund formation and investment management group. With more than 25 years of experience, he advises fund sponsors on the organization, negotiation, structuring, and operation of private investment funds across multiple asset classes. His practice covers buyout funds, venture capital vehicles, real estate and hedge funds, fund of funds structures, separately managed accounts, managed account platforms, investment vehicles for independent sponsors, and customized alternative products.
Herrfeldt moves to McGuireWoods' Baltimore office from Venable, returning to a location where he previously worked as an associate. His clientele includes emerging and established private fund managers, alternative investment managers, institutional investors, and real estate investment managers. Like Starling, Herrfeldt advises on fund organization, negotiation, structuring, and operation, with particular focus on regulatory and internal governance issues affecting alternative investment vehicles.
The firm emphasized that both partners will enhance McGuireWoods' Emerging Manager Program—a strategic initiative designed to support first-time fund organizers and newly formed sponsors. Richard W. Viola, deputy managing partner of the corporate practice, described Starling and Herrfeldt as "go-to lawyers for guidance on investment fund formation issues, particularly for first-time funds and newly organized sponsors," underscoring their relevance to institutional and alternative investment professionals navigating fund structure and regulatory compliance.
This expansion reflects broader positioning within McGuireWoods' corporate practice to capture market demand from emerging and mid-market private fund sponsors seeking specialized counsel on complex fund formation, investor relations, and governance matters.
Starling joins McGuireWoods' Charlotte office from Robinson Bradshaw, where he held the position of co-chair of the fund formation and investment management group. With more than 25 years of experience, he advises fund sponsors on the organization, negotiation, structuring, and operation of private investment funds across multiple asset classes. His practice covers buyout funds, venture capital vehicles, real estate and hedge funds, fund of funds structures, separately managed accounts, managed account platforms, investment vehicles for independent sponsors, and customized alternative products.
Herrfeldt moves to McGuireWoods' Baltimore office from Venable, returning to a location where he previously worked as an associate. His clientele includes emerging and established private fund managers, alternative investment managers, institutional investors, and real estate investment managers. Like Starling, Herrfeldt advises on fund organization, negotiation, structuring, and operation, with particular focus on regulatory and internal governance issues affecting alternative investment vehicles.
The firm emphasized that both partners will enhance McGuireWoods' Emerging Manager Program—a strategic initiative designed to support first-time fund organizers and newly formed sponsors. Richard W. Viola, deputy managing partner of the corporate practice, described Starling and Herrfeldt as "go-to lawyers for guidance on investment fund formation issues, particularly for first-time funds and newly organized sponsors," underscoring their relevance to institutional and alternative investment professionals navigating fund structure and regulatory compliance.
This expansion reflects broader positioning within McGuireWoods' corporate practice to capture market demand from emerging and mid-market private fund sponsors seeking specialized counsel on complex fund formation, investor relations, and governance matters.
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