AnchorPoint

Private fund formation · U.S. and offshore

Fund formation counsel for emerging managers, independent sponsors and investors.

A Chambers-recognized boutique law firm focused on fund formation and sponsor-level structuring across U.S. and offshore platforms.

Chambers and Partners Recognized by Chambers and Partners, Spotlight Edition 2027 – Investment Funds
U.S. TaxableInvestors Non-U.S. / Tax-ExemptInvestors Blocker Corp Sponsor Fund Vehicle Asset Asset Asset Illustrative structure

About

A boutique law firm focused on private funds

AnchorPoint is a boutique law firm focused on private investment funds. We advise fund sponsors, including emerging managers and independent sponsors, and we represent investors, on fund formation, sponsor-level structuring and investor arrangements across U.S. and offshore platforms.

We try to keep our advice practical and grounded in how funds actually work, and to match what we do to what each client is trying to accomplish.

We use generative AI and modern legal tools where they help us work more efficiently, supporting our ability to offer flat fees. A lawyer reviews all work produced using these tools.

Services

What we do

We work with emerging managers, independent sponsors and investors on fund formation, sponsor economics, secondary transactions and ongoing GP and regulatory matters, across U.S. and offshore jurisdictions.

01

Sponsor Representation

We help sponsors structure, launch and operate open- and closed-end investment vehicles, including hedge funds and private equity funds. We have advised sponsors, including emerging managers, across a range of industries and asset classes: real estate, credit, insurance, fintech, growth capital, digital, buyout and venture.

We also work with managers on separately managed accounts (SMAs), funds-of-one, co-investment vehicles, SPVs, AIVs and independent sponsor and search fund structures.

02

Investor Representation

We help investors review and negotiate fund and side letter terms. This work typically includes:

  • Fund Terms Review: reviewing partnership agreements, offering memoranda and subscription documents so they align with the client's objectives.
  • Side Letter Negotiation: negotiating provisions that address investor needs, such as MFNs, fee discounts, transparency rights and liquidity options.
03

Liquidity Solutions

We advise on secondary fund transactions, whether GP-led or investor-led. For GP-led secondaries, we help structure and execute liquidity solutions such as fund restructurings, continuation vehicles and buy-back offers.

For investor-led transactions, we advise on the sale or acquisition of fund interests, including the negotiations, due diligence and transfer agreements involved, whether you are a GP looking to extend a fund's life or an investor looking to unlock liquidity.

04

General Partner Matters

We advise on establishing and structuring general partners, including carried interest arrangements, corporate governance and key person provisions.

We also advise general partners and investors on GP stakes, revenue sharing and other seed arrangements.

05

Below the Fund Transactions

We advise on below-the-fund transactions, including TopCo and HoldCo structures. These arrangements affect investment performance, risk and the alignment of interests among the various stakeholders: the fund, co-investors, third-party investors and the portfolio company's management team. We help clients structure and negotiate them.

Tools

Structural alpha

Fund structures involve tradeoffs: tax, cost, friction and time. Structural alpha is the value sponsors and investors preserve by getting those decisions right and retaining the flexibility to adapt as the investor base or investment strategy evolves. Our affiliate, AnchorPoint Labs LLC, is building tools that help sponsors and their advisers explore alternatives and understand those tradeoffs early, so the structure supports their fundraising objectives and investment strategy.

EntitiesFeeders, parallel vehicles, blockers and AIVs, and when each justifies its cost.
Capital flowsHow commitments, fees, carry and distributions move through the structure.
Tax leakagePotential tax exposure by investor type, including ECI, UBTI, FIRPTA, PFIC, CFC, withholding and state taxes.
ConstraintsSecurities, investment adviser, investment company and ERISA constraints, evaluated as the structure takes shape.

Team

Partner-led, with a counsel network

Clients work directly with the partner handling their matter, and we bring in specialist and offshore counsel when a deal calls for it.

Javier Fierro

Javier Fierro

Managing Member
Prior Experience

Partner, Mayer Brown LLP
Counsel / Associate, Sidley Austin LLP
Associate, Goodwin Procter LLP

Education

Northwestern University School of Law, JD
Kellogg School of Management, MBA
UCLA, BS in Chemical Engineering

Admissions

Illinois · New York

Counsel Network

Beyond core fund formation, we work with a long-standing network of attorneys focused on tax, regulatory and ERISA matters, so we can bring in specialist help when a matter calls for it.

The network also includes counsel in established offshore fund jurisdictions, for managers raising capital from outside the U.S.:

Cayman Islands British Virgin Islands Bermuda Luxembourg

Recognition

Chambers Spotlight 2027

Chambers and Partners, Spotlight Edition 2027 recognizes AnchorPoint for investment funds work in Illinois, two years in a row in the Spotlight guide, reflecting the counsel we provide to fund sponsors and investors.

Insights

Notes from practice

Plain-spoken takes on fund structuring, terms and the market, written for managers and investors. For informational purposes only; not legal or tax advice.

View all insights →

Contact

Get in touch

To help us serve your inquiry, we suggest briefly describing the issue. You can also email or call us to set up an appointment. We will respond promptly.

Office AnchorPoint Legal Partners PLLC
Willis Tower
233 S. Wacker Drive, 44th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Reach us Phone: (312) 508-3621
Fax: (312) 267-1764
Email: info@anchorpointlegalpartners.com