Jennifer M. Dunn focuses her practice on advising hedge funds, private equity funds (including mezzanine and distressed funds), hybrid funds, funds of funds and investment advisers in connection with their structuring, formation and ongoing operational needs, general securities laws matters, and regulatory and compliance issues. Her experience includes structuring and negotiating seed and strategic investments, advising investment managers regarding the structure and sale of their investment management businesses and the structure of their compensation arrangements, and representing investment managers in connection with managed accounts and single investor funds.

Jennifer was named among the world’s “50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds” by The Hedge Fund Journal. A member of the board of directors of 100 Women in Finance, Jennifer is recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US, Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Banking, Finance and Transactional Law Lawyers (Investment Funds), Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law (Investment Funds) and has been named an IFLR1000 “Rising Star” (Investment Funds). She co-authored Hedge Funds: Formation, Operation and Regulation (Full Court Press) and presented at conferences on topics, including ESG investing, attracting and retaining capital, operational due diligence, compliance issues, co-investments, credit funds, hedge funds, management company issues and considerations for emerging hedge fund managers.

Publications

“SEC Proposal to Redefine the Definition of 'Dealer' Would Cover Certain Private Funds and Private Fund Advisers,” SRZ Alert, May 16, 2022

“Private Funds Market Trends Report,” SRZ Publication, June 2021

“Private Funds — Market Trends Report,” SRZ Publication, October 2020

“OCIE’s Targeting of ESG Investing Practices in Recent Examinations and What It Means for Hedge Fund Managers,” Hedge Fund Law Report, June 11, 2020 (quoted)

“Private Funds — Market Trends Report,” SRZ Publication, May 13, 2020

“Private Funds — Ideas for Raising New Capital During the COVID-19 Dislocation,” SRZ Publication, March 26, 2020; republished in The Hedge Fund Journal, May 2020

“Private Funds Guidance — Considerations During Volatile Markets for Hedge Funds and Credit, Direct Lending and Distressed Funds (COVID-19),” SRZ Publication, March 16, 2020

Hedge Funds: Formation, Operation and Regulation (ALM Law Journal Press) (co-author); (Full Court Press), 2022 (co-author) 

“Succession Planning with SRZ’s Leading Fund Formation Group,” The Hedge Fund Journal, March 2016 (quoted)

“SEC Updates Form PF Frequently Asked Questions,” SRZ Alert, July 20, 2012 (co-author)

Speaking Engagements

“Fund Insights – Co-Investments, Secondaries and Fund Restructuring,” SRZ 32nd Annual Private Investment Funds Seminar, January 2023

“Fund Terms and Tax,” SRZ 30th Annual Private Investment Funds Seminar, January 2021

“Hedge Fund Trends,” SRZ Webinar, October 2020

“Publicity for Private Funds — Opportunities and Practical Implementation of Rule 506(c) Offerings,” SRZ Webinar, October 2020

“Advanced Issues in Private Funds 2020,” Practising Law Institute, Webinar, June 2020

“Credit” and “ESG,” SRZ 29th Annual Private Investment Funds Seminar, New York, January 2020

“World Recognition of Distinguished General Counsel,” Directors Roundtable, New York, October 2019

“Hedge Funds/Open-Ended Funds,” IBA 20th Annual Private Investment Funds Conference, London, March 2019

“Management Company Challenges in the Current Environment,” SRZ 28th Annual Private Investment Funds Seminar, New York, January 2019

“CLOs, Warehouse Facilities and Risk Retention Vehicles” and “Regulatory Outlook,” SRZ 27th Annual Private Investment Funds Seminar, New York, January 2018

“Attracting and Retaining Capital,” SRZ 26th Annual Private Investment Funds Seminar, New York, January 2017

“Operational Due Diligence and Compliance,” MFA Compliance Conference, May 2016 

100 Women in Hedge Funds Next Gen New York Group Career Roundtable, April 2016

“Evolving Terms and Considerations Across the Fund Spectrum” and “The New Anti-Money Laundering Rule,” SRZ 25th Annual Private Investment Funds Seminar, January 2016

DMS Offshore Investment Services Women in Compliance Working Group, August 2015

“Hedge Fund and Management Company Structures,” NFA National Examination Staff Training Program, July 2015

“Emerging Manager Considerations — Startup Through First Five Years of Operation,” Grant Thornton Hedge Fund Symposium Series, May 2015

“ERISA: From No Plan Assets to Managing Plan Assets,” SRZ 24th Annual Private Investment Funds Seminar, January 2015

NYCBA Making First Impressions Count, October 2014

100 Women in Hedge Funds Education Session No. 482: Unlock the Secrets to Success, June 2014

KPMG General Counsel Peer Exchange Dinner, June 2014

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Emerging Manager COO/CFO Conference, February 2014

“Marketing Opportunities and Challenges,” SRZ 23rd Annual Private Investment Funds Seminar, January 2014

“Allocation of Investment Opportunities Workshop,” SRZ Investment Management Hot Topics, April 2013

“Form PF: A Roundtable Discussion for $5B+ Hedge Fund Managers,” SRZ Conference, June 2012

“Form PF: Practical Guidance from Industry Experts,” GlobeOp Insights Event, March 2012

“Obtaining Capital from Offshore (US) Institutional Investors: Fund and Management Company Structures, Investment Advisor Registration and Tax Considerations,” Morgan Stanley Business Consulting Workshop for Latin America, February 2012

“Form PF Workshop,” SRZ 21st Annual Private Investment Funds Seminar, January 2012

Memberships

  • Board of Directors, 100 Women in Finance

Distinctions

  • Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Banking, Finance and Transactional Law Lawyers (Investment Funds)
  • Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law (Investment Funds)
  • IFLR1000 – Rising Star (Investment Funds)
  • The Hedge Fund Journal’s 50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds
  • The Legal 500 US
  • Chambers USA
  • Chambers Global

Prior Experience

  • Morrison & Foerster
    • Associate