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Christopher Mendez

Christopher Mendez advises investment managers, sponsors, and institutional investors on the structuring, formation, and ongoing operation of private investment funds and related vehicles. His practice spans credit, hedge fund, private equity, and real estate strategies.

Chris has extensive experience guiding clients through the design and launch of complex fund platforms and investment vehicles, including open- and closed-end, drawdown, evergreen, and series fund structures, as well as bespoke co-investment, joint venture, and managed account arrangements. He regularly advises on LP- and GP-led secondaries, fund restructurings, and continuation vehicles, as well as seeding and anchor investments, spinouts, lift-outs, and investment management M&A.

In addition to fund formation and transactional work, Chris counsels clients on management company and GP structuring, ownership and profit-sharing arrangements, and governance and operational matters. He also provides strategic advice on crisis management, including internal reviews, investor disputes, and SEC examinations and enforcement actions.

With a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, Chris provides strategic counsel on SEC and CFTC/NFA compliance, including the Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act, and related regulatory filings and governance matters. He has significant experience managing legal and compliance teams, building compliance programs, and leading clients through SEC examinations and enforcement matters.

Chris’s background includes serving as general counsel and chief compliance officer for investment firms, where he led legal and compliance functions for multibillion-dollar platforms across a variety of asset classes. He has overseen the launch of innovative fund structures, managed complex reorganizations, and advised on cross-border regulatory issues, new product development, and global distribution initiatives. Clients value his responsiveness, client-focused approach, and ability to deliver practical, business-oriented solutions to sophisticated legal and operational challenges in the investment management space.

Notable Work

Fund Formation Matters

Multi-Series Opportunistic Credit Master-Feeder Fund:

Advised on the formation of a multi-series master-feeder platform for an opportunistic credit strategy, including the design of series-specific terms, fee arrangements, and operational features, as well as investor side-letter negotiations.

Hybrid Liquid and Illiquid Private Fund:

Advised on a complex, tax-efficient hybrid structure combining liquid and illiquid asset classes, with multiple share classes and side-pocket features, and heavily negotiated fund offering documents.

Master-Feeder Hedge Fund:

Advised on a master-feeder structure with a broad investment mandate, including onshore and offshore offering materials, subscription documentation, bespoke side letters, organizational documents, and service-provider agreements.

Evergreen Fund and Co-Investment Vehicle:

Advised on the launch of an evergreen credit vehicle and related co-investment arrangement seeded by an institutional investor, with customized liquidity, fee, governance, and revenue-sharing mechanics.

Energy-Focused Open-End Fund:

Advised on the structuring and formation of an open-end private fund targeting energy investments, including subscription and redemption mechanics, valuation framework, and portfolio liquidity management.

Equity Capital Markets Master-Feeder Fund:

Advised on a master-feeder fund structure for a global equity capital markets strategy, involving multiple investor jurisdictions and bespoke investor terms.

Co-Investment Programs:

Advised on the structuring and execution of multiple co-investment arrangements for institutional sponsors, including allocation mechanics, documentation, and governance terms.

Select Transactional Matters

LP-Led Secondary Transaction:

Advised on a limited-partner-driven secondary sale involving multiple funds, including negotiation of the purchase and sale agreement, transfer agreement, and related transaction documentation across multiple tranches.

Spinout and Lift-Out Transaction:

Advised senior investment professionals on the spinout and establishment of a new asset-management platform, including seed investment structuring, management company governance, and key-person and non-compete arrangements.

Preferred Equity and Convertible Note Financing:

Advised on participation in a combined debt and equity capital raise to fund liquidity needs of a portfolio company, including negotiations with co-lead investors and structuring of an affiliated investment vehicle.

Convertible Note Financing:

Advised on a multi-tranche convertible note financing for a large technology company ahead of a strategic transaction, involving several closings and diverse investor groups.

Restructuring and Bankruptcy Transaction:

Advised an investor consortium on the recapitalization and post-Chapter 11 restructuring of a distressed company, including bridge and DIP financing and complex tax considerations.

Franchise Platform Acquisition:

Advised a private-equity-backed family office on the acquisition and financing of a consumer-focused franchise platform, including related debt and equity financing, through a newly formed special-purpose investment vehicle and related organizational documentation.

Show all

Private Equity Law Report, Quoted, "Key Catalysts Behind the Emerging Trend of PE Spinouts," October 2025
Private Equity Law Report, Quoted, "Growing Popularity, Numerous Benefits and Operational Obstacles of Retail Distribution Platforms," June 2025
Law360, Quoted, How Wall Street Regulators May Adapt to Trump's Return, January 2025
LP/GP Connect CFO/COO Private Debt Conference, Speaker, “Private Asset Valuation in Difficult Times,” November 2023
GAIM Ops Alternative Investments Conference, Speaker, “Seizing the Opportunity in Private Credit,” December 2021

Volunteers of Legal Services (VOLS), Board of Directors
U.S. Marine Corps, Military Veteran

Christopher Mendez

Notable Work

Published Work and Lectures

Affiliations

Areas of Experience

Education

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