George Slifen Jumps from Schulte to Kramer Levin

New York, October 31, 2012- Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP today announced that corporate attorney George M. Silfen has joined the New York office as a partner in the firm’s Financial Services Group.  Mr. Silfen primarily advises clients on regulatory and compliance matters associated with investment companies, and investment advisory, brokerage, securities custody and transfer agent services.
 


“George’s extensive experience counseling clients on a wide range of investment management matters and his particular expertise in the ever-changing financial regulatory landscape, will not only be a huge contribution to our widely-recognized team, but will also be of tremendous value to our clients,” said Carl Frischling, co-head of Kramer Levin’s Financial Services Group. 
 


Mr. Silfen was formerly a partner at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP and previously worked for Morgan Stanley Investment Management.  He focuses his practice in the representation of investment companies and their boards of directors, investment advisers, and broker-dealers in connection with the organization and operation of investment products and services, including mutual funds, closed-end investment companies, business development companies, registered hedge funds, wrap accounts, and 401(k) and IRA products.
 


“We are pleased to have such a well-regarded and experienced investment funds lawyer join our firm,” said Paul S. Pearlman, Kramer Levin’s managing partner. “His impressive reputation and complementary client base will further enhance our well-known Financial Services Group.”
 


Mr. Silfen is an active member of the investment management community.  In 2011, Mr. Silfen was named Independent Counsel of the Year by Fund Directions.  He had served on the New York City Bar Association’s Committee on Investment Management Regulation.  He is a frequent writer on fund-related topics, regularly contributing to leading industry publications including Ignites, Institutional Investor's Fund Directions and The Investment Lawyer.  Additionally, he often speaks at industry conferences on topics ranging from SEC compliance issues concerning funds of funds to new products for new markets.  
 


“I’m thrilled to be joining Kramer Levin,” said Mr. Silfen. “The firm’s high-caliber and diverse financial services team is the perfect platform to support my investment management practice.” 



Mr. Silfen holds a J.D., cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School where he was articles editor of the Brooklyn Law Review.  He earned his M.B.A. from Baruch College and his B.A., summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from Brooklyn College.
 


Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP is a premier, full-service law firm with offices in New York, Silicon Valley and Paris.  The firm, while being known for its expertise in all areas of fund representation, including hedge funds and private equity funds, is considered a premier boutique in the registered funds area, specifically concerning representation of independent directors, representing four of the top 25 fund complexes.  The group and its members have been honored with high level positions, awards and top rankings by the Mutual Fund Directors Forum, New York City Bar Committee on Investment Companies and Investment Advisers, Institutional Investor, ABA Task Force on Mutual Fund Directors Guide, and U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, Chambers USA and Legal 500.  For more information, please visit www.kramerlevin.com/financialservices/ .