Joseph Smith

Partner at Schulte Roth & Zabel

Moderator

Joe represents private equity fund sponsors in connection with fund formation, the acquisition of portfolio investments and the implementation of exit strategies. In this capacity, he advises clients on securities, governance, compliance, operational and structural issues. Joe has extensive regulatory knowledge, and wide-ranging experience with all alternative asset classes, including LBO funds, venture capital and laterstage growth equity funds, energy and infrastructure funds, credit funds, real estate funds and joint ventures, fund restructurings and other complex secondary transactions, including GP-led recapitalizations and the disposition of large institutional portfolios. He has also represented many fund managers in connection with stakes deals, spinoffs and consolidations.

In addition to domestic representations, Joe has advised private equity clients in connection with the acquisition and structuring of portfolio investments throughout Europe, Latin America and Asia. His representation of asset managers in the real estate sector includes advice concerning REIT offerings and privatizations, partnership roll-ups and cross-border investments.

Joe’s clients include American Infrastructure Partners, Coller Capital, GE Investment Management, Harbert Management Corporation, Harlan Capital Partners, Hemisfério Sul Investimentos, Investors Diversified Realty, LCN Capital Partners, Mauá Capital, MonticelloAM, Prime Group Holdings, Royalton Partners, SSGA Funds Management, Vortus Investments and Westport Capital Partners.

He is a frequent speaker at industry events, is widely published and has been recognized as a leading practitioner by Chambers Global, Chambers USA, Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Banking, Finance and Transactional Law Lawyers, The Legal 500 US and New York Super Lawyers.

Most recently, Joe was quoted by Private Equity International in the article “LPAs: Finding the Right Balance” and Private Funds Management in the article “Ringing the Changes.”

He co-authored the “United States Fundraising” chapter in The Private Equity Review, Law Business Research, and contributed