Debevoise & Plimpton LLP today announced that one of Europe’s leading private funds regulatory lawyers, Patricia Volhard, will join the firm as a partner, operating out of its Frankfurt and London offices. Ms. Volhard brings market leading regulatory capabilities for private funds in continental Europe, adding to Debevoise’s strong existing regulatory capabilities for private funds in the U.S. and London.
Ms. Volhard, who has previously been an associate at Debevoise in Paris and Frankfurt, joins from Pöllath + Partners, where she was a partner in Frankfurt. Her practice is focussed on advising private funds on a range of regulatory issues. It is an area in which Ms. Volhard has played a leading role through her involvement in Invest Europe (formerly the European Private Equity & Venture Capital Association). She is the former chair of its Tax, Legal & Regulatory Committee, as well as the current chair of its Financial Services/Regulatory Working Group. Patricia is also a member of the legal committee of BVK, the German private equity association.
Ms. Volhard is admitted to practice in Germany and France, and speaks fluent German, French and English. She will join Debevoise in March.
Ms. Volhard’s hire comes at a time of significant change for private funds in Europe. The sector has undergone fundamental shifts in the wake of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive. The UK’s decision to leave the EU promises further challenges for the industry.
Debevoise partner Sally Gibson, based in London, has advised on the evolving regulatory landscape in the midst of these developments, becoming one of the UK’s most trusted voices in the process. The firm’s London team has also recently grown through the hire of Simon Witney, one of London’s most prominent private equity lawyers, who joined the firm in the UK as a consultant in January. Aatif Ahmad also joined the London office as an International Counsel in September, advising on regulatory matters.
This growth in London mirrors similar strength in the U.S., where Debevoise’s regulatory advice to funds is led by Kenneth J. Berman, Robert B. Kaplan, Julie M. Riewe and Jonathan R. Tuttle. The firm also recently welcomed back Mary Jo White and Andrew Ceresney, who both rejoined Debevoise after serving at the Securities and Exchange Commission as Chair and Director of the Division of Enforcement respectively.
Michael W. Blair, Presiding Partner at Debevoise, comments: “Patricia is one of Europe’s most sought after private funds lawyers. She has emerged as a highly trusted advisor at a time when trusted advice has been a difference maker for many funds. For any law firm, it is important to remain at the cutting edge in areas where your clients need it most. That is exactly what Patricia will help us do.”
Erica Berthou, Chair of the Global Investment Management/Funds Group at Debevoise, comments: “Navigating regulatory issues has never been more crucial to the success of private funds. Building and maintaining first class regulatory teams on both sides of the Atlantic has therefore been a strong focus for us. The arrival of Patricia as a leader of our European funds regulatory work strengthens our global funds regulatory platform, giving us a true heavy hitter in mainland Europe to add to our UK and U.S. teams. We believe it puts us in a unique position in terms of what we can offer clients in this space. There are few in the market as talented, knowledgeable and focused as Patricia. I’m excited to be working with her.”
Dr. Thomas Schürrle, managing partner of the Frankfurt office at Debevoise, comments: “Patricia will be a fantastic addition to our team in Frankfurt. Patricia’s return to the firm further deepens our capabilities not only in Germany but in Europe generally. Bringing in someone of Patricia’s undoubted quality is testament to the strength of our global funds platform, which now includes Germany again.”
Patricia Volhard comments: “Debevoise’s global reputation in private fund is second to none. The regulatory strength they have built is testament to their commitment to the sector. Such global regulatory strength is now key to provide high quality advice to global private funds. I’m very proud to have been with P+P for many years and plan to continue to work alongside them on tax matters in particular, but I’m now looking forward to playing my part in the continued success of Debevoise.”
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. The firm’s commercially savvy lawyers regularly lead strategic transactions and complex disputes for world-class clients.
