Ryan S. McNish

RYAN MCNISH is a nationally recognized investment funds lawyer representing sponsors and their related management companies in connection with the formation and operation of private equity, leveraged buyout, growth, real estate, infrastructure, credit, venture capital, mezzanine, secondary and other alternative investment funds.

He guides sponsors in connection with the formation, structuring, and marketing of investment funds ranging from hundreds of millions to tens of billions of dollars in size, and possesses a deep experience in a broad array of fund-related transactions, including co-investments, annex funds, secondary and other liquidity solutions transactions, continuation funds, seed investments, anchor investor arrangements, fund restructurings, investment warehousing, and other similar complex transactions. He also advises on the management, compliance and ongoing operation of investment funds throughout their entire life cycle, from general corporate counseling to complex and novel issues and transactions, including advising on bespoke regulatory issues, conflicts resolution, cross-fund transactions, and other general compliance-related matters.

In addition, Ryan routinely counsel sponsors in connection with the organization, structuring and internal operation of management companies, including critical firm-level issues such as fee plans and compensation arrangements, succession planning, key person events, team spin-outs and other similar personnel departures or admissions, minority stake investments, employment, governance, investor relations and public relations matters, and other extraordinary events.

Ryan was recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Corporate (2025) and ranked a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers for Securities & Corporate Finance (2023–2024).

Ryan has advised numerous investment managers in connection with their fund formations and related transactions and ongoing administration, compliance, and operations. A selection of clients that he has represented in connection with their fund formations and operations includes:

26North Partners, AE Industrial Partners, Benford Capital Partners, Blue Sea Capital Partners, Blue Wolf Capital, Charles Thayne Capital, Clearview Capital, Consello Group, Create Capital, Cross Lake Partners, Cross Rapids Capital, Edgewater Capital Partners, Francisco Partners, Gemspring Capital, GLP Capital Partners, Guardian Capital Group, Keystone Capital, M-One Capital, MCR Hospitality, New State Capital Partners, New Water Capital, Nexa Equity, One Equity Partners, ParkerGale Capital, The Resmark Companies, Staple Street Capital, Sun Capital Partners, Thoma Bravo, TPG, Värde Partners, Varsity Healthcare Partners, Victory Park Capital, and WHI Real Estate Partners.

The above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.