Lynn J. Watkins

Partner

Lynn J. Watkins concentrates his practice in corporate and securities, as well as finance, where he has extensive experience in representing his clients in a range of complex financial transactions.

Lynn Watkins Portrait

Lynn has successfully represented both private and public companies in their acquisitions and divestitures. He has counseled institutional clients in connection with their investments in alternative investment vehicles. Lynn has also guided private equity funds in their formation and helped ensure their compliance with securities laws. He has significant experience in working with start-ups on a range of critical and sophisticated financial transactions.

Lynn also represents financial institutions and borrowers in a variety of financing matters, including secured and unsecured term note placements and mezzanine financings.

Client Work

  • Frequent representation of an institutional asset manager in connection with the formation of private equity fund-of-funds and separate account vehicles, negotiation of investments in alternative investment vehicles (including venture funds, mezzanine funds and leveraged buy-out funds) and Investment Adviser Act of 1940 registration and compliance.
  • Representation of private equity sponsor in connection with the formation of a mezzanine private equity fund with commitments in excess of $500 million.
  • Representation of institutional endowments in connection with their private equity and hedge fund investments.
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Boards, Memberships & Certifications

  • American Bar Association, Institutional Investors Committee
  • National Bar Association, Corporate Law Section Executive Committee
  • Cook County Bar Association, Director
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Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

Publications

  • “Significant New Private Fund Rules Adopted by SEC,” ArentFox Schiff Alert (Sep. 11, 2023)

Presentations

  • “Getting off to a Great Start: Commonly Negotiated PE Fund Terms,” Chicago Private Equity Forum, Chicago, IL (May 4, 2016)
  • “Institutional Limited Partners Association Private Equity Principles: A Guide For Improving GP/LP Relations,” (co-presenter) Muller & Monroe Asset Management’s Back Office Exchange, Chicago, Ill. (Oct. 14, 2011)
  • “Dodd-Frank’s Impact on Private Equity Funds and Other Recent Legal Developments,” Muller & Monroe Asset Management’s Back Office Exchange, Chicago, Ill. (Nov. 2, 2010)

Recognitions

  • The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers (2023)
  • Most Influential Black Lawyers, Savoy Magazine (2022)
  • Illinois Leading Lawyer, Law Bulletin’s Illinois Leading Lawyers Network (2021)
  • Emerging Lawyer, Law Bulletin Publishing Company’s Leading Lawyers (2016-2020)

Insights