The Firm: The representation of highly active market players such as Ares Management, Adams Street Partners and Lexington Partners marks Proskauer Rose out as a solid contender in the fund formation space. Lawyers possess a strong grasp of the needs of their sponsor and institutional investor clients, garnered through a consistently healthy volume of mandates from both types of stakeholder. The breadth of this practice is held in high regard by clients, who know that they can rely on the team across the full spectrum of asset classes.

Sources Say: "Due to their longstanding tenure in the space they have critical mass and a huge perspective of the market. The team I worked with was just so technically strong; brilliant lawyers."

Key Individuals: Robin Painter's client roster includes many significant industry players who frequently seek her perspective on a variety of private equity matters. She co-heads the firm's global private investment funds group.