About Allison C. Yacker

Allison Yacker is the co-chair of the Investment Management and Funds practice and 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

Recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA 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, "Katten's team provided expert legal advice as well as holistic commercial advice which lends to best in class services and continuing a relationship with a firm who truly partners with your business and its development. Allison Yacker was instrumental in executing on matters both in the budget and time frame expected, which is truly appreciated" (U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2019 "Best Law Firms"). She represents hedge funds, private equity 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, renewable energy and carbon credits, to name a few. Allison also regularly advises her clients with regards to seed and early stage investment opportunities, and provides counsel with respect to insurance dedicated funds and PPLI and GACs and the use of similar structures.

Allison spends a significant portion of her time representing institutional investors looking to deploy capital to hedge funds, private equity funds and other ventures. 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.

Allison is a member of the firm's board of directors and is 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. Allison was recently recognized as a Working Mother of the Year in Working Mother Magazine.

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"I work with Allison Yacker . . . [who is] highly knowledgeable about broker dealer issues, the Investment Advisers Act, and private credit fund terms and structures. [She] not only [has] the expertise but . . . [is] extremely responsive."

U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2019 "Best Law Firms"
(Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law) survey response

Practice Focus

  • Hedge fund and private equity fund formation
  • Investment management and financial services regulatory and compliance
  • Seed transactions/early stage investing
  • LP representations — hedge funds and private equity funds
  • Product offerings and distribution arrangements
  • Family offices
  • Private credit and lending
  • Prime brokerage and trading documentation

News

Publications

Presentations and Events

Practices
Industries
Education
  • Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, JD
  • 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, Committee on Futures and Derivatives Regulation
  • Hedge Funds Care, Committee of Hearts
  • Managed Funds Association
  • New York Hedge Fund Roundtable
  • New York State Bar Association
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • Best Lawyers in America
    Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law, 2020–2022
  • Chambers USA
    Investment Funds: Hedge Funds, 2017–2018, 2020–2021
  • Crain's New York Business
    Leading Women Lawyers in New York City, 2018
  • HFM US Service Awards
    Best Onshore Law Firm – Start Ups, 2020
  • New York Law Journal
    Rising Star, 2016
  • The Legal 500 United States
    Recommended Attorney, 2016–2021
  • Working Mother
    Mother of the Year, 2018
Award Methodologies