Eliot D. Raffkind focuses his practice in the representation of investment managers, including advisors to domestic and offshore hedge funds and other private investment funds, in connection with fund formations and portfolio investing activities.
Practice & Background

Mr. Raffkind has been recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2010 to 2014) and in 2012 by Chambers Global: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of hedge funds. He was also recognized as one of the world’s leading private fund lawyers in 2011 by Who’s Who Legal and as one of the world’s leading Investment Funds Lawyers by Expert Guides.

Mr. Raffkind is a frequent speaker before investment fund trade groups on issues affecting hedge funds and other private equity funds.

Mr. Raffkind is also the recipient of the 2011 Partner Recognition Award for his work at the firm’s Dallas office, awarded by that office’s associate and counsel committee, for contributions to the mentoring and professional development of associates and counsel.

Mr. Raffkind received his B.B.A. in finance with high honors in 1983 and his J.D. with honors in 1986 from the University of Texas, where he served as a teaching quizmaster from 1985 to 1986. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas.
Representative Matters

Mr. Raffkind’s recent representative engagements in the investment management area include:

formation of a hedge fund to invest in sovereign debt
representation of a public retirement fund in connection with portfolio investment activities
sale of an interest in a hedge fund management company to a third-party investor
formation of domestic and offshore investment funds and related negotiations of a seed capital investment
formation of private investment funds focusing on investments in the oil and gas sector
formation of domestic and offshore funds focused on investments in securities of distressed companies
formation of an investment fund focused on investments in the energy industry
formation of domestic and offshore funds investing in international securities and related registration of the investment manager as a commodity pool operator with the CFTC
formation of a private investment fund focused on minority enterprises
formation of a private investment fund focused on companies engaged in the communications industry
formation of an offshore investment fund to invest in distressed debt securities in emerging market countries
representation of the sponsor of a start-up hedge fund in connection with the formation of the fund and the negotiations with the person hired to manage the fund
formation of domestic and offshore hedge funds incorporating a protection of principal feature
formation of domestic and offshore hedge funds incorporating an enhanced leverage feature
representation of a registered investment advisor in connection with a managed account with a university endowment
modifications to soft-dollar disclosure in offering documents in light of SEC developments
preparation of personal trading policy for a state-registered investment advisor
formation of domestic and offshore hedge funds focused on technology securities
formation of “fund of funds” investing in LBO funds
formation of a domestic investment fund focused on short selling
formation of domestic and offshore currency trading funds
formation of a domestic fund focused on derivatives
amendments to domestic and offshore fund documents for a hedge fund advisor with $1.5 billion in capital under management
formation of “fund of funds” investment fund for start-up manager
formation of domestic and offshore funds to invest primarily in treasury securities of emerging market countries
acquisition of the assets of an investment advisory firm and related registration of the client as an investment advisor
formation of a domestic investment fund focusing on investments in China.

Community Involvement

Mr. Raffkind’s community, civic and charitable activities include being a:

board of directors member of Capital for Kids
board of directors member of Jonathan’s Place
board of directors member of the Texas Hedge Fund Association from 2002 to 2010.

Speaking Engagements

“Social Media: Compliance and Legal Considerations for Investment Advisors,” Dallas Quarterly Investment Funds Roundtable, March 8, 2012
2011 Maples Investment Funds Forum, February 11, 2011
Compliance Best Practices Forum, March 3, 2010.