Michael Aluko advises clients on the formation, structuring and regulatory compliance of private investment funds across a broad range of fund sizes and asset classes, including private equity, real estate and venture capital funds. With experience navigating the complex legal frameworks that govern private funds, Michael offers strategic counsel on fund management, investor relations and regulatory matters under SEC, CFTC and other jurisdictional authorities. He represents fund sponsors and investment firms guiding them through all phases of the fund lifecycle, from initial formation to capital raising and eventual wind-down.   

Michael also represents institutional investors, family offices and individuals in reviewing and negotiating offering documents and operating agreements as well as investment management, subscription and other commercial agreements in connection with their investments in private investment funds (including hedge funds, joint ventures, separately managed accounts and fund of funds) as well as related co-investment and principal investment fund structures. He advises both institutional investors and sponsors on structuring, regulatory and legal issues impacting governance, management and upper tier compensation arrangements.

Michael’s experience representing both investors and sponsors allows him to provide clients with holistic advice on either side of the negotiation. His clients range from global institutions to entrepreneurs in the sports, entertainment, real estate and tech industries as they pursue joint ventures, invest in various private funds or launch private funds and special purpose vehicles of their own (including proptech, fintech, sports and ESG funds).

Before returning to private practice, Michael spent a number of years in-house as lead counsel at SECOR Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel at Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Michael also served as in-house counsel at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Société Générale in New York where he advised business units, investment managers, corporate pension plans and other investors on derivatives transactions and regulations (including Title VII of Dodd Frank), trading agreements and private fund investments.