About Allison C. Yacker

Allison Yacker represents a wide variety of sponsors (both hedge and private equity) and investors in transactional, fund formation, regulatory and corporate matters. Her significant experience representing institutional and emerging asset managers as well as all manner of buy-side investors gives her unique insight into market trends as they develop. This enables Allison to provide customized and solution-oriented counsel to her sell-side and buy-side clients in an efficient and timely manner.

A creative problem solver for financial market participants

A member of Katten's Board of Directors and recognized byBest Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, Chambers Global and The Legal 500, clients view Allison as a trusted source for comprehensive and commercial guidance with respect to the broadest panoply of issues relevant to asset management market participants. Clients appreciate her approach, stating, "Allison Yacker has always been the person I turn to for legal guidance on fund formation and on the most recent changes. Like any great attorney, she makes herself available at any time the work needs to get done. I highly recommend her to any fund PM looking to launch a fund in the most expeditious and economic manner" (The Legal 500 United States 2022).

She represents hedge funds, private equity funds, private credit funds, commodity pools and managed account platforms that engage in a wide variety of strategies, including quantitative trading, private credit, distressed debt, futures and FX, litigation finance, securitized products, affordable housing, crypto currencies, security tokens, and carbon credits, to name a few. Allison also regularly advises her clients with regard to seed and early-stage investment opportunities and issues related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) investments. She also provides counsel with respect to insurance dedicated funds and PPLI and GACs and the use of similar structures.

Known for her commitment to her clients' goals, Allison frequently collaborates with Katten's Private Credit team to bring in the right resources for a particular investment strategy. She has advised several multi-billion dollar institutional credit managers on flagship funds, funds of one, managed accounts and structured credit products.

Allison spends a significant portion of her time representing institutional investors looking to deploy capital to hedge funds, private equity funds and other ventures. Her clients really trust her counsel in this space, stating, "Allison is sharp, commercial and deeply talented," "she has an exceptional breadth of knowledge of the industry," and that "she is solid – a great attorney” (Chambers Global 2022). These clients include sovereign wealth funds, foundations, insurance companies, pension plans, family offices and endowments and high-net-worth investors. She also advises these clients on global regulatory issues that arise in connection with investments in funds and managed accounts.

Allison regularly counsels investment management clients with respect to ongoing regulatory matters (including reporting, disclosure and registration issues), corporate, employment and intellectual property matters. She provides counsel on regulatory compliance and advises clients on security token offerings and other cryptocurrency- and ICO-related matters. Having achieved a Certificate in Sustainable Capitalism and ESG from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, Allison is well positioned to counsel clients with interests in incorporating ESG considerations into their business and investment strategies, as well as manage ever-evolving regulatory requirements for sustainable investing.

In addition to her director role, Allison serves on the Steering Committee of Katten's Women's Leadership Forum, which supports the strategic retention and advancement of women attorneys at the firm through mentoring and professional development programs. She also has a long-standing relationship with 100 Women in Finance as an Angel Member, and serves on the Private Investment Funds Committee for the New York City Bar Association. Allison was named a Working Mother of the Year in Working Mother Magazine.

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"Allison has been nothing less than terrific. She works hard and manages matters very well." "She is incredibly proactive, resourceful, and has a keen understanding of the business owner's perspective."

Chambers Global 2022
(USA, Hedge Funds) survey response

Practice Focus

  • Hedge fund and private equity fund formation
  • Investment management and financial services regulatory and compliance
  • Private credit and lending
  • Credit manager advising on flagship funds, funds of one, managed accounts and structured credit products
  • Seed transactions/early stage investing
  • LP representations — hedge funds and private equity funds
  • Product offerings and distribution arrangements
  • Family offices
  • Prime brokerage and trading documentation

News

Publications

Quick Reads

Presentations and Events

Practices
Industries
Education
  • Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, JD
  • University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, Certificate in Sustainable Capitalism and ESG
  • University of Pennsylvania, BA, magna cum laude
Bar Admissions
  • New York
Community Involvements
  • 100 Women in Finance
  • Association of the Bar of the City of New York
  • Hedge Funds Care, Committee of Hearts
  • Managed Funds Association
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City, Leadership Circle
  • New York City Bar Association, Private Investment Funds Committee
  • New York State Bar Association
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • Best Lawyers in America
    Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law, 2020–2025
  • Chambers USA
    Investment Funds: Hedge Funds, 2017–2018, 2020–2024
  • Chambers Global
    Investment Funds: Hedge Funds
    USA, 2022–2024
  • Corporate Counsel Business Journal
    50 Women to Watch, 2023
  • Crain's New York Business
    Leading Women Lawyers in New York City, 2018
  • HFM US Services Awards
    Best Onshore Law Firm – Start Ups, 2020
  • New York Law Journal
    Rising Star, 2016
  • The Legal 500 United States
    Leading Individual, 2022–2024
    Recommended Attorney, 2016–2021
  • Working Mother
    Mother of the Year, 2018
Award Methodologies