Richard Starling and William Herrfeldt Bolster McGuireWoods’ Fund Formation Capabilities

Private Equity Partners Enhance Firm’s Emerging Manager Program

McGuireWoods continues the expansion of its nationally recognized private equity team with the arrival of partners Richard Starling and William Herrfeldt, who are highly regarded for their work advising clients on investment fund formation matters. Together, they strengthen the firm’s fund formation capabilities and enhance its unique Emerging Manager Program.

Starling and Herrfeldt advise fund sponsors on the organization, negotiation, structuring and operation of private investment funds, as well as regulatory and internal governance issues, and they advise institutional investors with respect to those and other alternative investments.

Starling, who joins in Charlotte, works with a wide variety of private funds and related products, including buyout, venture capital, real estate and hedge funds; fund of funds; separately managed accounts; managed account platforms; investment vehicles for independent sponsors; and other bespoke products. He joins from Robinson Bradshaw, where he co-chaired the fund formation and investment management group.

Herrfeldt’s clients include emerging and established private fund and alternative investment managers; institutional investors and real estate investment managers. Herrfeldt comes to the firm from Venable. He joins McGuireWoods’ Baltimore office, where he previously had been an associate.

“Rick and Billy are go-to lawyers for guidance on investment fund formation issues, particularly for first-time funds and newly organized sponsors,” said Richard W. Viola, deputy managing partner of McGuireWoods’ corporate practice.

Added Tom Zahn, chair of McGuireWoods’ Corporate & Private Equity Department: “The skill and insight Rick and Billy bring will be incredibly valuable assets as we continue to expand our one-of-a-kind Emerging Manager Program and other industry-focused client service initiatives.”

The McGuireWoods’ Emerging Manager Program provides unparalleled support to new fund managers throughout the life cycle of an emerging manager, including by providing curated introductions to all types of limited partners and unique networking opportunities. The firm will host its international Emerging Manager Conference on May 16-17, 2023, in Dallas with over 700 emerging managers and limited partners across different strategies.

“McGuireWoods’ private equity team has built a well-deserved reputation as an industry leader, and I look forward to building on this momentum for the benefit of our clients in the investment management industry,” Starling said.
Added Herrfeldt: “McGuireWoods’ entrepreneurial culture and innovative client service programs have made the firm a dominant player in the private equity space. I am excited to be back at the firm and to collaborate with this outstanding team.”