Sarah Davidoff
Partner
Sarah Davidoff is a partner in Ropes & Gray’s market-leading asset management group who has counseled the world’s largest and most prominent global asset managers for more than 25 years. Cited in Chambers USA for “having a ton of experience and market knowledge,” as well as delivering practical and pragmatic advice, Sarah partners with clients on their most important transactions and all aspects of their businesses.
Sarah advises on asset management M&A, including sponsor-led deals and strategic transactions. Clients value her ability to serve as a thought partner, as well as her creativity in coming up with solutions that support their business goals. Sarah is known for being “a good counselor, crisis manager and solution-oriented lawyer,” according to feedback in Chambers USA.
A recognized leader in the alternative asset management industry, Sarah guides clients in all aspects of raising and operating their buyout, credit, growth equity and venture capital funds and firms. Sarah designed and launched one of the first hybrid funds a decade and a half ago, establishing herself as a pioneer in this area. Since then, she has continued to partner with clients to develop innovative funds and navigate a complex and evolving regulatory landscape. Sarah has received numerous accolades for her work on behalf of clients and is co-leader of the firm’s growth equity and venture funds team.
Sarah is very involved with the broader asset management community. She is a member of and frequent contributor to the New York City Bar’s Committee on Private Investment Funds and speaks frequently at conferences, forums and seminars. She is also deeply committed to giving back through community service. Sarah serves on the boards of arts nonprofit A BroaderWay and the NYU Law Alumni Association, and volunteers with Food Bank For New York City.
Publications
- Profiled, “50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds 2019,” The Hedge Fund Journal (September 16, 2019)
- Profiled, “Crytptocurrency, Blockchain and Fintech Trailblazers,” The National Law Journal (September 2018)
- Quoted, “5 Firms Make It Back Onto GCs' Most Adored List,” Law360 (December 9, 2015)
- Co-author, Sweet & Maxwell, “International Series Investment Funds,” (Thomson Reuters) 3rd Edition
- Co-author, PLC Investment Funds Handbook – United States, Country Q&A (2015)
Presentations
- Panelist, “GP Stakes,” SEO Alternative Investments Conference (AICON) (April 5, 2023)
- Panelist, “Human Capital Considerations of Private Investing vs. Public,” MFA Human Capital Forum (May 12, 2022)
- Panelist, “Managing Hybrids and Multiple Fund Structures: Managing Conflicts, Allocation, and Other Complexity Challenges,” GAIM Ops Cayman (April 26, 2022)
- Speaker, Fintech: The Evolving Ecosystem (September 12, 2019)
- Panelist, “Challenges of operating across public and private funds: conflicts, side pocket fees and allocation, efficient operations etc.,” GAIM Ops Cayman (April 30, 2019)
- Speaker, “Hedge Funds: Looking into a Crystal Ball,” Maples Investment Funds Forum (February 8, 2019)
- Speaker, “Launching & Running a Cryptocurrency Fund,” CoinAlts Fund Symposium (April 19, 2018)
- Speaker, “Funds in Crisis: When the Regulator Calls,” Maples Investment Funds Forum (February 23, 2017)
- Panelist, “A View From Washington”, SIFMA Private Funds Roundtable (February 8, 2017)
- Moderator, “3 CCOs and a Prosecutor: The Next Frontier In Implementing, Managing And Reacting To The Demands Of Operating An Effective Compliance Program,” GAIMOps Cayman (March 6, 2016)
- Speaker, “Dodd-Frank, AML, FATCA, and AIFMD: Regulatory and Compliance Challenges and Their Impact on Operations and Investor Relations,” Operations for Alternatives 2016 Conference (February 1, 2016)
- Speaker, “Hybrid Funds,” IBA’s 16th Annual International Conference on Private Investment Funds (March 2015)
Education
- JD, New York University School of Law, 1996
- AB, with High Distinction, University of Michigan, 1993
Admissions / Qualifications
Qualifications
- New York, 1997
Awards
- Chambers USA (2008-2023)
- Chambers Global: “Leading practitioner in hedge funds” (2009-2023)
- Crain’s New York Business: “Notable Women in Law” (2023)
- The Hedge Fund Journal, “50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds” (2019)
- The National Law Journal, “Crytptocurrency, Blockchain and Fintech Trailblazer” (2018)
- The Best Lawyers in America (2018-2024)
- Legal 500 (2011-2020, 2022-2023)
- IFLR 1000 (2018-2024)
- Expert Guides’ Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law (2014-2016)
- Who’s Who Legal Private Funds (2013, 2016, 2022)
- Euromoney's Guide to the World's Leading Women in Business Law (2013)
- Guide to the World's Leading Investment Funds Lawyers: “Leading investment funds lawyer” (2010)