Debra Franzese is a partner in Willkie’s Asset Management Department. She is based in the Firm’s New York office.
Debra advises sponsors and managers of private investment funds and other pooled investment vehicles, including hedge funds, private equity funds, funds of funds, commodity pools, co-investment vehicles and hybrid funds. Her fund formation and structuring practice includes fund interest offerings and investments, and domestic and offshore partnerships and other investment vehicles, including separately managed accounts for institutional investors. She also represents U.S. and non-U.S. investment advisers in connection with seed-capital investments and side letters.
Debra also assists clients with regulatory and compliance matters, including advice regarding SEC registration, the development of compliance policies and procedures (including valuation policies, co-investment policies, and investment and expense allocation policies), the completion of regulatory filings and assistance with examinations.
Experience
- The Legal 500 U.S. for Investment Fund Formation And Management – Alternative/Hedge Funds, 2024
- The Legal 500 U.S. for Investment Fund Formation And Management – Private Equity Funds (Including Venture Capital), 2023
- Who’s Who Legal for Private Funds – Formation, 2024
- The Hedge Fund Journal in “Private Markets: 50 Women Leaders,” 2024
- The Hedge Fund Journal as among the “50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds,” 2023
- “Highly Regarded” by the IFLR1000 for Hedge Funds and Private Equity Funds, 2023
- Kayo Top 25 in ’25 Women in Private Funds
- Co-Author, “U.S. Legal and Compliance Issues Relating to ESG for Private Fund Advisers,” International Comparative Legal Guide – Environmental, Social & Governance Law 2024, January 17, 2024
- Speaker, “IAA Compliance Conference,” March 5-7, 2025
- Speaker, “AIMA Private Placement Regimes 2024 Conference,” October 30, 2024
- Speaker, “ESG: Risks, Rewards and Opportunities,” Regulatory Compliance Watch and Private Funds CFO, March 26, 2024
- Speaker, “Hedge Fund Vista: US Private Fund Advisor Rules Series – Final Session,” Simmons & Simmons, February 28, 2024
- Speaker, “AIMA’s Quarterly US Enforcement Roundup – Q2,” June 23, 2022
- Speaker, “International Fund Structuring for US Managers,” IFI Global, September 23, 2021
- Speaker, “ESG: What the New US Administration Means for its Evolution,” IFI Global, April 8, 2021
- Speaker, “Regulatory Compliance Association’s Women in Asset Management and Regulation™ – NYC 2019 Summit,” November 6, 2019
- Speaker, “AIMA Hong Kong: Double Header Event,” June 6, 2019
- Speaker, “Variant Perspectives: Women in Value Investing Conference,” May 3, 2019
Credentials
Education
American University, Washington College of Law, J.D. (magna cum laude), 2008 Stockton University, B.A. (summa cum laude), 2005