Benson R. Cohen

BENSON COHEN represents investment advisers, broker-dealers, and other financial institutions in connection with corporate, securities, M&A, and regulatory matters. 

Benson has deep experience counseling asset management clients on the complex regulatory structures applicable to their business, including the U.S. securities laws, ERISA, tax, FINRA, CFTC and NFA rules and regulations, and the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act (including the Volcker Rule). Benson is well-versed in  rules and regulations that affect institutional asset managers, start-up managers, and participants in complex joint ventures. Clients laud Benson’s ability to efficiently and effectively deliver legal services and manage teams, and describe him as “laser-focused on getting to a result that works for all parties” (2023). Clients in 2023 cited his ability to practically walk through the impact of legal terms, combining comprehensive legal knowledge, attention to detail, clear communication style, responsiveness, and a practical commercial perspective.

• Citigroup in its sale of Citi Global Alternatives to iCapital, a financial services company.
• United Airlines Ventures in its launch of the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund SM, a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle designed to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel by accelerating the research, production, and technologies associated with sustainable aviation fuel.
• Since 2011, Benson has advised Bridgewater Associates LP in connection with its private investment vehicles, including commingled funds, internal “trading vehicles” and various single investor funds.
• Capital Integration Systems LLC in an investment of US$225 million by investors affiliated with Apollo Capital Management and Motive Partners, with additional investment from Franklin Templeton.
• Formation and offerings of privately placed hedge funds, venture capital and growth equity funds, special purpose vehicles, hybrid credit funds, and fund of funds (both U.S. and non-U.S.).
• Establishment of hedge fund and private equity fund "feeder," and managed account platforms.
• Sales of advisory businesses (both buy-side and sell-side), including sales of minority interests, revenue share arrangements, "seeding" arrangements, and sales of assets and reorganizations.
• Structuring of joint venture arrangements for launch of new investment products, including equity financing for the launch of new CLOs, hybrid investment funds, and hedge funds.

• Benson serves as a leader of Sidley’s PRIDE Network, Sidley’s LGBTQ+ affinity group, and is a member of Sidley’s New York office Inclusion Committee.
• Benson is the vice-chair of the National Leadership Council for Lambda Legal, the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and those with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.
• Benson was a member of the Capital Campaign committee for the Ali Forney Center, a New York-based organization committed to saving the lives of LGBTQ+ young people.
• Benson served on the Berkeley Law Alumni Association’s board of directors from 2007–2020. Benson was honored by Berkeley in 2019 with the “Young Alumni Award” for his service on the board and commitment to the public education mission.
• Benson was the chair of the nominating committee for the New York City Bar Association’s “Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award” in 2014–2019.

Benson assisted numerous clients in getting federal and state tax-exempt status. He oversaw projects for a number of organizations committed to providing services to the LGBTQ+ community, including Immigration Equality, Gays Against Guns, and Silver State Nevada (an affiliate of Equality California). Benson is passionate about serving as a mentor for law students.