Alston & Bird hires new partner – exclusive

The firm hired Michael Saarinen from Goodwin Procter, where he served as a counsel in the firm’s private investment funds practice.

Alston & Bird has hired Michael Saarinen as a partner in the firm's investment management, trading and markets practice, pfm has learned.

Saarinen joined from Goodwin Procter, where he was a counsel in the firm's private investment funds practice. He started work on November 21 and continues to be based in New York, according to a source familiar with the matter.

At Alston & Bird, Saarinen will focus on both regulated and unregulated investment funds and products. With the new hire, the team now counts seven partners.

“Mike has added bandwidth and depth to the team,” said Tim Selby, Alston & Bird's partner and head of the firm's investment management, trading and markets practice, adding that the firm is focused on further strengthening its relationships with sophisticated managers who require innovative and pragmatic structures to address complex business and regulatory issues.  
 
Saarinen represents several types of illiquid private fund sponsors, including small, closely-held startup asset management businesses and global financial institutions. “Mike's knowledge will significantly add to the depth of our expertise in the illiquid sector of the private fund industry,” said Selby.

The new hire advises on the domestic and international aspects of fund development, formation, marketing and operations across several types of funds, including hedge funds, private equity, venture capital and growth equity.

He also counsels clients on regulatory and compliance issues, compensation arrangements, strategic transactions and governance.

Prior to joining Goodwin Procter in 2014, Saarinen was an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. He also served as general counsel and chief compliance officer at SECOR Asset Management.

Saarinen was one of pfm's 2015 30 under 40 , which highlighted 30 private funds lawyers under the age of 40 to watch in the coming years.