Overview
Ira Phillip Kustin is a partner in the Investment Management practice and is based in the firm's New York office. Mr. Kustin focuses his practice on advising sponsors of, and investors in, complex hedge, private equity and credit funds, and regularly counsels private fund advisers on international investment platforms including in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. His clients range from market-leading global asset managers, to startups, mid-sized, and larger managers.
Mr. Kustin has extensive experience counseling established, global investment advisers as well as start-up managers in most aspects of their operations and regulatory compliance matters. He advises investment fund managers faced with complex restructurings, succession planning, crisis/conflict resolution, and consent solicitations. His practice includes advising clients on the structuring of arrangements between investment managers' principals, seeding transactions, co-investment and secondary transactions, and LP-side investments in private funds.
Accolades and Recognitions
The Legal 500, Investment Fund Formation & Management-Alternative/Hedge Funds (2021)
Chambers USA, Mergers & Acquisitions: Private Equity (2021)
Education
New York University School of Law, J.D., 1999
University of Cincinnati, B.A. (magna cum laude), 1996
news
insights
events
Speaking Engagements
Speaking Engagements
Co-Host, "
Current Issues for Fund Managers in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Paul Hastings/Women in Funds Webinar, April 30, 2020"
The 2020 SEC Examination Priorities Relevant to Private Funds," Talks on Law, February 2020"
'A Shift in Funds' - Trends in the private funds market," Talks On Law, January 2020"Private Fund Management During the Pandemic: Investment, Distribution, Governance, and Fund Finance Concerns," Strafford Webinar, June 4, 2020
Featured Speaker, "U.S. Regulatory Workshop for Asian Hedge Fund Managers," Bank of America Merrill Lynch Seminar, Hong Kong, May 2019
Panelist, "US Regulatory Developments," Maples Investment Funds Forum, Grand Cayman, February 2019
Presenter, "Common Compliance Pitfalls," AIMA Fund Manager Briefing, New York, April 2018
Panelist, "The Changing U.S. Regulatory and Tax Landscape," AIMA APAC Annual Forum, Hong Kong, March 2018
Featured Speaker, "U.S. Regulatory Refresh for Asian Hedge Fund Managers," Bank of America Merrill Lynch Seminar, Hong Kong, October 2017
Panelist, "Operational Due Diligence," 3rd Annual Offshore Investment Funds Summit, São Paulo, September 2013
Moderator, "Global Hedge Fund Investing," Latin Markets Hedge Fund Forum, Rio De Janeiro, March 2013
Panelist, "Implications of Registration Under the U.S. Investment Advisers Act," Latin Markets Hedge Fund Forum, Rio De Janeiro, March 2012
Publications
"
Key Issues for Managers of Private Investments Funds During the COVID-19 Era," Review of Banking and Financial Services, September 2020Author, "How Fund Managers May Address End-of-Life Issues in Closed End Funds," Hedge Fund Law Report, January 2019
Author, "Beyond the Master-Feeder: Managing Liquidity Demands in a More Flexible Fund Structures", Hedge Fund Law Report, May 2017
Author, "Enforcement Actions by the SEC - Cases from 2015 Provide Guidance for Private Fund Advisors", Asset Management Intelligence, February 2016
Author, "What To Do Before You Hang Out a Shingle", The Deal, January 2010
Author, "Stars in Transition: A New Generation of Private Fund Managers", Hedge Fund Law Report, January 2010
"Innovation and Imagination Applied to Hedge Fund Performance Payments", Hedge Fund Law Review, November 2009
Author, "Hedge Fund Manager Compensation", Hedge Fund Law Report, April 2009
Recent Representations
Mr. Kustin's recent representations include:
all aspects of the structuring, formation and closing of hedge, private equity, and hybrid investment funds
counseling private fund advisers in connection with international investment platforms with a particular focus on Europe, Asia, and Latin America
assisting managers with fundraising from a global institutional investor base in conjunction with international offices throughout the firm and local counsel in select jurisdictions
advising fund managers regarding non-U.S. registration, reporting, and compliance matters in conjunction with local counsel
providing advice to non-U.S. investment advisers regarding U.S. private offerings, SEC registration, and related matters
negotiation of "platform" arrangements between private fund managers and commercial banks, placement agents, and similar parties
private tender offers for interests in unregistered investment funds
negotiation of managed account arrangements and "single-investor" funds
registration of investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940
counseling advisers in connection with various forms of inquiries and examinations by the SEC and other regulators
structuring and negotiation of economic and governance arrangements among fund manager principals
implementation of "carry plan" documentation and other incentive arrangements
secondary market transactions involving hedge and private equity fund interests
Notable Mentions
Hedge Fund Law Report, "
Paul Hastings Attorneys Discuss Fund Governance and Management, Valuation and Line of Credit Issues Arising Out of the Coronavirus Pandemic (Part One of Two)," June 4, 2020Hedge Fund Law Report, "
Paul Hastings Attorneys Discuss Issues for Open‑End, Closed‑End and Registered Funds Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic (Part Two of Two)," June 11, 2020Hedge Fund Law Report, "
Suspending Withdrawls: The 2008 Crisis Versus the 2020 Pandemic (Part One of Three)" - Discussing the differences between the 2008 financial crisis versus the 2020 pandemic in the context of hedge fund withdrawal suspensions.Paul Hastings - What Matters Podcast, "
Hedge Funds and Other Private Open-End Funds" - Interviewed regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, how the crisis has impacted hedge funds and other private open-end funds, and what clients need to know.Secondaries Investor, "
Paul Hastings: Dealing with the denominator effect and LP defaults" - Authored an article on dealing with the denominator effect and LP defaults. The article notes that GPs should be aware of right of first refusal clauses and PTP issues when processing transfer requests from LPs brought about by the COVID-19 crisis.Hedge Fund Law Report, "
How Private Fund Managers Can Prepare for a Potential Downturn" - Authored an article that discusses various issues of which private fund managers must be aware in the event of a potential economic downturn.Law 360, "
SEC Case Opens Door For Investor Whistleblowers" - Authored an article that discusses the application of Rule 21F-17 of the Securities Exchange Act by the SEC outside the context of the traditional employer-employee relationship.Law360, "
SEC Push To Expand Access To Private Offerings Could Grow"- Quoted in an article on the SEC's proposal to add certain measures of sophistication to the definition of an accredited investor. "The addition of the 'knowledgeable employee' prong to the definition of accredited investor is particularly helpful for certain affiliates of investment managers who possess a level of sophistication with regard to the investment management industry but can't meet the income or net worth test under the existing rule."Hedge Fund Law Report, "
Is the Advertising Rule Obsolete?" - Quoted in a two-part series about Rule 206(4)‑1 (also known as the "Advertising Rule") under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the SEC's approach to regulation.Bloomberg, "
Tax Haven Crackdown Catches Asia Hedge Funds in Its Crosshairs"- Noted in an article about a new rule introduced by the Cayman Islands which requires companies within its purview to maintain an "economic substance" in the territory."The rule probably won't see hedge funds abandon Cayman Islands completely. Managers will continue to incorporate their funds and management entities there because of the regulatory ease of setting up, low startup and maintenance costs, as well as the abundance of service providers from law firms to auditors who are familiar with the industry."Law360, "
What To Know About PE Funds' Subscription Credit Facilities"- Mentioned in an article focused on short-term loans designed to bridge the gap when funds need more capital for investment."Typical provisions will address a number of issues. Those issues include what proceeds from borrowings under the facility will be used for, how long amounts drawn on the facility are expected to be outstanding, and the pledge of each investor's interest in favor of the lender, among others."FundFire, "
Investor Group Aims to Tame Private Equity Fees, Conflicts"- Quoted in an article highlighting the latest version of the Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA) guidelines for fund manager-investor relationships."The level of detail in the new release reflects the evolution of the typical LP-GP relationship. The information you might have included in a capital call notice 10 years ago is very slim compared to what investors are asking for now."