BRAD MEISSEN is a senior managing associate in Sidley’s Chicago office. As a member of the firm’s Investment Funds, Private Equity and Emerging Companies and Venture Capital practice groups, he represents sponsors, managers, and their principals in the structuring, operations, and management of private equity funds, venture capital funds, hedge funds, growth equity funds, real estate funds, energy funds, cryptocurrency funds, funds of funds, and other special purpose vehicles. He has significant experience working with both established sponsors and emerging managers that operate, raise capital, and invest across different geographies (U.S. and abroad) and various markets, sectors, and industries (healthcare, financial services, energy and natural resources, agriculture, real estate, biotech, InsurTech, data analytics, interactive content, education, and cryptocurrency/digital assets). He advises clients and fund sponsors in securities, derivatives and futures-related corporate and regulatory matters, including issues relating to securities law, CFTC, and SEC regulation and compliance. He often represents limited partners and institutional investors in connection with their investments in private equity, venture capital, and growth equity funds.
Brad also advises clients in negotiated transactions, including side letters, “seed” or “anchor” investments, joint venture arrangements, co-investments, portfolio company investments, investment management agreements, single investor funds, special opportunity funds, selling/placement agreements, credit facilities, carried interest arrangements and other strategic transactions.
Brad is a member of Sidley’s award-winning Investment Funds group which provides top-tier service to all aspects of the private funds industry. Chambers USA has awarded the group top band rankings in Hedge Funds every year since 2008. Sidley has also been named “Law Firm of the Year” in Private Funds Law in U.S. News – Best Lawyers 2022 “Best Law Firms.”
Prior to joining the firm, Brad served as an active duty officer in the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of Captain.
Brad received his J.D., cum laude, from Northwestern University School of Law and simultaneously received his MBA in finance from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Brad received his B.S. from the United States Air Force Academy where he was a letterman on the Air Force football team and an All-Mountain West Conference Academic Team selection.