Overview
Steven Ward is a senior associate in the London office of Paul Hastings. He specialises in all aspects of the formation, operation, and regulation of private investment funds (across multiple asset classes including private equity, real estate, debt, infrastructure, CLOs and hedge) and their operators. He advises on both closed-ended and open-ended structures and has experience in forming funds in all the major funds domiciles. He has a particular specialism in funds regulatory matters (particularly the AIFMD, in relation to which he is frequently asked for market commentary) and has substantial experience in advising sponsors on the regulatory implications and requirements of global fundraising campaigns. Steven works closely with our corporate teams in respect of funds regulatory issues affecting downstream and investment structures (particularly with respect to the AIFMD asset stripping rules on a PE buyout). He has a particular interest in social impact, ESG and "pandemic recovery" focused funds and has recently coordinated a series of webinars focusing on impact investment alongside Octopus and ClearlySo. He acts for sponsors (including first time fund managers), investors, lenders, placement agents, and other related parties in relation to fund formation, investment, regulatory, and compliance matters.
Mr. Ward was listed as an "Associate to Watch" in the field of Private Equity Funds in Chambers & Partners UK 2021, where he was described by clients as "really responsive, puts good pace into a deal," "pragmatic" and "hard-working and client-focused". Mr. Ward was also recognised as a key lawyer in Legal 500 U.K. 2021 in the field of Real Estate Funds. Mr. Ward participates on a number of AIMA's expert panels focusing on amendments to the AIFMD.
Recent Fund Formation:
Cheyne Capital on the formation of their second social impact real estate fund
Investindustrial on the formation of their seventh private equity fund, closing at €3.75bn
Alcentra on the formation of their risk retention fund, which was named "highly commended" in the Financial Times Innovative Product Awards 2019
LaSalle on the formation of LaSalle Real Estate Debt Strategies IV
Octopus Real Estate on several funds, managed accounts and regulatory matters (including the Octopus Healthcare Fund)
Octopus Real Estate on their GP-led restructuring of Medicx Healthfund II and subsequent merger into the Octopus Healthcare Fund
MVM Partners on the formation of their fifth life sciences venture capital fund
Xenon on the formation of their seventh European Private Equity Fund
NorthEdge on the formation of their third private equity fund focusing on investments in the North of England
MML on the formation of their seventh private equity fund and second Irish venture capital fund
Pantheon Ventures as the lead investor on the IdInvest venture capital GP-led transaction
Innotech on a number of their LP investments
Education
Mr. Ward holds a B.A. (first class honours) from the University of York in English Literature. Mr. Ward completed the Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP, Waterloo in 2010 and the Legal Practice Course at BPP, Holborn in 2011. Mr. Ward was admitted as a Solicitor in England in Wales on 1 September 2013.