John advises sovereign wealth funds and other institutional investors in connection with their acquisitions, and disposals, of investments in private investment funds, as well as in relation to secondary transactions. He has particular expertise in advising on the impact of the EU’s Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) and advises on UK and European regulatory issues relating to fund managers and investment products.
John Adams
Partner
John focuses on the formation, promotion and operation of all types of private and retail investment funds, including private equity, hedge, credit, infrastructure, real estate, and venture capital funds, and retail vehicles such as UCITS funds. He also advises on the drafting and negotiation of associated documentation with such funds and with managed accounts.
John focuses on the formation, promotion and operation of all types of private and retail investment funds, including private equity, hedge, credit, infrastructure, real estate, and venture capital funds, and retail vehicles such as UCITS funds. He also advises on the drafting and negotiation of associated documentation with such funds and with managed accounts.
Expertise
Industries
Experience
Representative matters
- Attestor Capital on its flagship hedge fund.
- Investcorp on the establishment of multiple private equity fund products.
- IG4 Capital on the establishment of multiple private equity funds and co-investment vehicles.
- EFG Hermes on the establishment of multiple education-focused funds.
- Innisfree Limited in relation to its suite of infrastructure funds focusing on PFI and PPP infrastructure projects.
- A major European credit fund manager on the structuring and establishment of an ERISA-compliant credit fund.
- The Abu Dhabi Global Market on drafting the laws and regulatory rules for fund operations in a new financial-free zone.
- Prosperity Capital in relation to its suite of hedge funds and the establishment of an ADGM-based fund manager.
- Maverick Capital Ltd. on the establishment and operation of Irish and Luxembourg-domiciled UCITS funds.
- Steadfast Management LP on managed account programs and associated derivative documentation.
- A major sovereign wealth entity on its credit investment programs and its acquisition of a renowned investment manager.
- Various sovereign wealth investors, DFIs and institutional investors on their investments in private equity, credit, hedge and UCITS funds, as well as managed accounts, co-investments and funds-of-one.
- Multiple managers in the EU, the U.S. and Asia, on the AIFMD and other regulatory issues affecting fund managers.
Pro bono
- Working with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) since 2019.
- Acting as a Volunteer Attorney and Contributor for Lawyers Without Borders since 2007.
- Assisting a Costa Rican fund manager in the formation and launch of a private equity fund investing in conservation and sustainable projects in Meso-America, the Northern Andes and the Amazon Basin.
Published Work
- Adams. J. (2024), “Tolleys Company Law”, London: LexisNexis
Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, Brexit Roundtable – OTC Derivatives Markets, Alternative Investment Management Association, February 2019
- Speaker, Private Equity, The Legal 500 Latin America Private Equity Summit, February 2019
- Speaker, Brexit: Options for UK Alternative Managers, IFI Global Breakfast Briefing, June 2018
- Speaker, Brexit and Global Capital Markets Panel, Chatham House Global Capital Markets Conference, March 2017
Recognition
“John Adams is one of the best partners I have ever worked with: knowledgeable, on top of all details, fully accessible and dependable
”
”
Legal 500 UK, 2022
Awards
- Leading Individual for Investment Fund Formation and Management (Hedge Funds), Legal 500 UK, 2024
- Highly regarded by IFLR1000, 2023
Qualifications
Admissions
England & Wales, 2002
Academic
LL.B. (Hons), First Class, Law, University College London, 1999
Legal Practice Course (Distinction), Law, The University of Law, 2000
Legal Practice Course (Distinction), Law, The University of Law, 2000
Languages
English
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.