BILL KERR is a partner in the Chicago office, co-head of Sidley’s global Investment Funds, Advisers and Derivatives Group and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He represents clients in securities and derivatives-related corporate and regulatory matters, including organization and operation of U.S. and offshore hedge funds, funds of funds, commodity pools, real estate funds and private equity funds, organization, operation and acquistion of investment advisers, commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors, fund restructurings, structured products, and derivatives documentation and regulation. Representative transactions include:
- manager and fund start ups
- stock exchange listed funds
- redomiciliations of funds
- hybrid funds
- feeder fund and managed account platforms
- seed capital investments in advisers and funds
- fund derivatives
- manager acquisitions and joint ventures
In 2008, the Investment Funds, Activities and Derivatives Group was named “Investment Funds Team of the Year for the U.S.” by Chambers and Partners. In addition, Sidley has been ranked in the top band for hedge funds by Chambers USA every year since the inception of such category in 2008. Sidley also received first-tier national rankings in the 2013 U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings for Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law, and Derivatives and Futures Law. Sidley received these national rankings for the third consecutive year and each year since the survey’s inception.
Bill has spoken at Sidley-sponsored and external conferences on fund-related topics. Bill has also been highly ranked in publications such as Chambers USA (Band 1), Best Lawyers in America, PLC Which Lawyer?, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal. In Chambers USA, clients described him as “a highly experienced attorney who really ‘exemplifies the qualities of the firm.’”