Udi Grofman is Global Co-Head of the Paul, Weiss Investment Funds Group. Grofman is called a “leading light in the fund formation area” by that publication. A strategic adviser to many of the largest alternative asset managers in the world and their management teams, Grofman’s practice focuses on fund formation, strategic advice and crisis management, with his clients praising him as a “walking wealth of market knowledge. He gives business-minded, practical and highly sophisticated advice” and is “nothing short of brilliant.” According to market commentators, Grofman is a “legend in our field for many reasons. His knowledge and sophistication is unparalleled, and he’s entirely devoted to providing excellent customer service” who “possesses nonpareil legal expertise that crushes that of his counterparts at other firms.”
Grofman focuses on fund formation along the liquidity spectrum, including credit funds, hybrid funds, hedge funds, private equity funds, real estate funds, venture funds, long-dated funds, permanent capital vehicles and family offices. He also provides strategic advice, including on seed capital transactions, minority and majority asset manager acquisitions and dispositions, and “upper-tier” arrangements. Additionally, he advises clients on crisis management, including internal investigations, regulatory examinations, investigations and litigation, in the course of which he appears frequently in front of regulators; partner and employee disputes; and investor litigation.
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Grofman’s representative clients include Apollo Global Management, The Blackstone Group, Blackstone Credit, Blackstone Strategic Partners, BXMA, Blue Owl, HPS Investment Partners, Centerbridge Partners, KKR Credit, 3G Capital, Angel Island Capital, AQR Capital Management, Autonomy Capital, Avenue Capital, Bain Credit, BayPine, Bridgewater, Charlesbank, Citadel, D1 Capital, Davidson Kempner, Declaration Partners, Foresite Capital Management, Glenview Capital, GoldenTree Asset Management, Hudson Bay Capital, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Key Square Capital Management, Lane42 Investment Partners, LuminArx, New York Life Investments, Nokota Management, Paloma Partners, PGIM, Pinnacle Asset Management, PointState Capital, Pretium Partners, Sequoia Heritage, Strategic Value Partners, Tiger Global Management, Tilden Park, Two Sigma, Wafra Inc., XN LP, Omega Advisors and some of the country’s largest family offices, among others.
Grofman writes and speaks frequently on the challenges facing hedge funds in today’s market. He has co-authored articles for The Review of Securities & Commodities Regulation and Private Equity Law Report, among others, and is often asked to speak at major industry conferences, including those hosted by the International Bar Association, Practising Law Institute and Maples Investment Funds Forum. In 2020, Grofman developed and chaired a new annual PLI program, “Advanced Issues in Private Funds,” which features in-depth discussions about fundraising dynamics and strategies, co-investment vehicles and upper-tier structures and tax considerations, among other topics. Grofman also hosts an Annual Hedge Fund General Counsel Forum, which brings together the most prominent legal practitioners in the market to discuss recent trends and developments.
Grofman maintains an active pro bono practice, representing not-for-profit interests and individuals. He currently serves on the board of directors of the International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian aid organization, and on the board of directors of Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C., an Israeli soccer club. Grofman served as a lecturer for The Interdisciplinary Center at Harry Radzyner Law School, Herzliya, Israel and is a captain (ret.) in the Israel Defense Forces.