Michael S. Hong

Michael S. Hong is a partner in the Corporate Department and a member of the firm’s Private Funds Group. He is a trusted corporate advisor to certain of the firm’s major institutional private fund managers, including Apollo Global Management, Blackstone/GSO and Guggenheim Partners, in their most complex, high-value transactions. Michael’s advice encompasses fund formation, M&A related transactions, and ongoing investment-related advice on behalf of buyout, hedge, credit, distressed debt, real estate, co-investment and fund of funds managers as well as related transactions.

Private Funds Management magazine recently named Michael to its "30 Most Influential Private Equity Lawyers Under the Age of 40," an exclusive list of private funds lawyers recognized by industry participants as "the best of the best in the field," stating, "[w]hen a big fund is being marketed, don't be shocked to find Michael Hong as part of the process." Michael has also been recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 and Who's Who Legalfor investment funds. For the past three years, he was also named to the Super Lawyers list of "New York Metro Rising Stars," a selective list of future leaders of the legal industry who "have distinguished themselves in their legal practice." Michael was also highlighted in a recent edition of Lawdragon’s "Insights: Private Funds."

Experience

Michael's private investment fund formation clients have included:

• Apollo Global Management;
• GSO Capital/Blackstone;
• Guggenheim Partners;
• Harvest Partners;
• Oak Hill Advisors;
• Reservoir Capital; and
• Trilantic Capital Partners.

Michael also has extensive experience with transactions involving sales, purchases and joint ventures of a variety of alternative investment asset managers. His past representations include the spin-out of approximately 75 former Lehman Brothers professionals in the formation of their new hedge fund, R3 Capital Partners, and its subsequent acquisition by BlackRock; and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in its acquisition of an interest in Apollo Global Management.

Michael is frequently asked to speak about developments in the private funds industry. Most recently, he was:

• a plenary session speaker at the 2015 Maples Investment Funds Forum;
• a panelist on "Current Terms: Private Equity" at the IBA/ABA 15th Annual International Conference on Private Investment Funds in London; and
• a panelist for "Recent Developments with LLCs and Limited Partnerships" at the Practising Law Institute's "Delaware Law Developments 2013: What All Business Lawyers Need to Know" seminar.

Michael's pro bono activities include work for the New York City Investment Fund - the private equity and venture capital arm of The Partnership for New York City that mobilizes corporate and financial community resources for urban economic development. He has also worked pro bono for the Clinton Global Foundation.

Michael obtained his joint J.D./M.B.A. from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law and Joseph L. Rotman School of Management. He was awarded the Gerald W. Schwartz Gold Medal upon his graduation from the Faculty of Law and was a Dean's List student during his time at the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management. Michael also served as a senior editor of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law Review.

Practices

• Corporate
• Investment Management
  

Education

• J.D., University of Toronto Faculty of Law, 2004
• M.B.A., University of Toronto, 2004
  Recipient of the Gerald W. Schwartz Gold Medal
• B.Comm, University of Toronto, 2000
  with high distinction 

Bar Admissions

• New York

See Library Tab for articles, publications and presentations by Michael Hong