Squire Patton Boggs continues to expand its Financial Services Practice Group with the appointment of Steven Ward as partner in the firm’s London office.
Ward, who joins from Paul Hastings, will spearhead the development of a new Funds Practice.
Welcoming Ward, Jonathan Jones, European managing partner, says: “Steven will drive forward a new Funds Practice from London and focus on the fundraising and ongoing advising of real estate, private equity, venture capital and debt funds, offering our diverse client base additional investment expertise to complement our current transactional support for their businesses.”
“Steven’s arrival is another step in our plan to broaden and strengthen our Financial Services Practice in EMEA,” says James Barresi, global leader of the Financial Services Practice Group. “Recently, we have added to our team several highly accomplished partners who have dramatically expanded the service we provide to specialised lenders and alternative capital sources, such as private equity and debt funds. A multipurpose funds team will further expand our capabilities and help maintain our strong momentum.”
“We are delighted to have Steven on board,” adds Paul Mann, who leads the UK Private Equity Practice. “He is well known to our team, having previously worked with our Private Equity partners Ben Squires and Julian Thatcher in London. Steven’s broad skillset and his private funds experience, representing both fund managers and investors, in addition to his strong regulatory background, will give further impetus to our expanding Private Equity Practice.”
Ward’s practice focuses on the formation, operation and regulation of private investment funds and their operators, targeting the full range of asset classes, including private equity, hedge, debt, infrastructure and venture capital. He acts for sponsors, investors, lenders, placement agents and other related parties, and has extensive experience in forming funds in all the major funds domiciles. Ward also has experience of advising sponsors on the regulatory implications and requirements, particularly AIFMD, of global fundraising campaigns. Among recent work highlights, he has advised on one of the first hedge funds to be launched in Abu Dhabi Global Markets under the new fund regime. Ward is noted for his funds experience and expertise in both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500.
“I am really pleased to be joining Squire Patton Boggs,” says Ward. “The firm is known for its collaborative nature and has an impressive global financial services and corporate offering, supporting an equally impressive roster of clients on cross-border and domestic transactions. This presents a great opportunity to build an international funds platform across multiple sectors and also to work with some old friends.”
Ward’s appointment follows the recent hire in London of a real estate finance team from Gowling WLG, led by partner Jonathan Lent.
