Sidley Austin Promotes Hedge Fund Lawyers Among Others

Sidley Austin LLP has added six new members to its Executive Committee, the Committee that exercises general authority over the affairs of the firm, and two new members to its Management Committee, the Committee which governs the firm’s day-to-day activities.

William D. Kerr of Chicago joins as global coordinator of the firm’s Investment Funds, Advisers and Derivatives practice and a partner since 1991. He represents clients in securities and derivatives-related corporate and regulatory matters, including the organization and operation of hedge funds, commodity pools, real estate funds and private equity funds, organization and operation of investment advisers, commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors, structured products, and derivatives documentation and regulation.

Michael J. Schmidtberger of New York has been a partner since 1993 and a global coordinator of the firm’s Investment Funds, Advisers and Derivatives practice, focuses his practice on securities and futures-related funds and corporate transactions, including related regulatory matters.

Schmidtberger regularly advises and represents clients in domestic and international offerings of hedge funds, fund of funds, public and private commodity pools and structured derivative and principal-protected transactions. Mr. Schmidtberger has also counseled clients in numerous fund restructurings and work-out situations. He is also a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and a member of the Committee on Retention and Promotion of Women.

“All of these partners are extremely talented lawyers and have contributed significantly to the growth and success of the firm,” said Thomas A. Cole, Chair of the Executive Committee.

Also hired are, Edward G. Poplawski, Raymond A. Bonner, Constance Choy and Peter D. Keisler, bringing the current count to 49.

“We are delighted to welcome these lawyers to governance roles so they may continue to serve as leaders of the firm,” said Charles W. Douglas, Chair of the Management Committee.

Sidley Austin LLP is one of the world's largest full-service law firms, with more than 1800 lawyers practicing in 16 U.S. and international cities, including Beijing, Brussels, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.