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Robert Sutton

Robert Sutton is a partner of the Private Funds Group and a member of the Corporate Department. He is a seasoned practitioner with over 20 years of experience counseling managers and advisers of private funds on regulatory matters, as well as regulatory issues related to the formation and operation of private equity, credit, real estate, infrastructure, hedge and other private funds.

Rob has a deep knowledge of the market practice of asset managers and in particular, as it relates to Advisers Act-related issues. From some of the largest and most sophisticated firms in the global asset management industry to start-ups and mid-sized firms, Rob’s experience includes a wide spectrum of funds and asset classes across their life cycles. Rob regularly advises on matters in connection with: U.S. investment adviser registration and regulation; Advisers Act and other U.S. securities law issues relating to the formation, marketing and offering of private funds; Identifying and managing conflicts of interest, and addressing related Advisers Act risks, SEC examinations, and exam readiness preparation; Design and implementation of investment adviser compliance policies and procedures; U.S. regulatory issues relating to purchases and sales of investment advisory businesses (minority stake and control stake transactions, buy-side and sell-side representations); Advisers Act and other U.S. regulatory issues relating to private fund restructurings and recapitalizations, strip sales, continuation fund formations and similar transactions; Advisers Act issues relating to the formation of SPACs by investment advisers; and, Investment Company Act status analyses of private fund structures, investment transaction structures and other non-registered investment company structures.

Rob has been recognized by his clients and peers for his extraordinary work, gaining various accolades including mentions in preeminent directories such as The Legal 500.  He is also very active within the private funds industry, contributing to numerous publications and collaborating on several speaking engagements.

On September 4, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) published its Spring 2025 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (the “Reg Flex Agenda”).[1] Twice per year, Federal agencies, including the SEC, must publish an agenda of proposed rulemakings that they anticipate will have a substantial impact on the economy. The Reg

Historically, investments in private funds have been reserved for large institutions, defined benefit pension plans, sovereign wealth funds and very wealthy individuals. In recent years, though, the notable difference in returns between private investments and those available in the public markets has increased pressure to expand access to private-market investments for “Main Street” investors. Partially

On June 25, 2025, the SEC’s Office of the Investor Advocate (OIAD) released its annual report to Congress on its policy priorities for fiscal year 2026. The office was established by Congress to focus on retail investor issues and, in many years, its annual report draws limited attention. This year’s report is notable because it

On June 12, 2025 the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) formally withdrew fourteen outstanding rule proposals issued by the prior administration. Although most observers doubted that the current Commission would adopt these proposals, the SEC’s action confirms that any future rulemaking on these topics must start anew with a new proposal and a fresh opportunity

On June 11, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) voted to extend the compliance date for the most recently adopted amendments to Form PF by approximately four months, to October 1, 2025. The amendments were adopted jointly by the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) on February 8, 2024, with an initial

On April 8, 2025, Acting SEC Chairman Mark T. Uyeda gave a speech signaling that the SEC may revisit the current minimum assets under management (“AUM”) threshold for federal registration, potentially reducing the number of investment advisers required to register with the SEC. Though Uyeda’s time as Acting Chair has now ended due to the

Markets remain exceptionally volatile following the announcement of the U.S. “Liberation Day” tariffs and retaliatory measures from other countries. While the ultimate path of policy remains uncertain, recent developments are likely to exert continued pressure on valuations and liquidity across private fund portfolios (even if certain policies are paused or rolled back). Historically, in the

Paul Atkins, who has been nominated by President Trump to serve as Chairperson of the Securities & Exchange Commission, last week completed a short confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee.  Despite its brevity, the hearing provided meaningful clues to Mr. Atkin’s plans if he is confirmed by the Senate to lead the SEC, which appears reasonably assured to occur.  On April 3, 2025, the Senate Banking Committee approved his nomination with a vote 13 to 11. 

Paul Atkins previously served on the staff of SEC Chairman Richard Breeden, as an SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008, and as a member of the Congressional Oversight Panel for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP following the 2008 financial crisis.  Most recently, he founded and ran a regulatory and compliance consulting company.   

On March 21, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) issued an interim final rule to the U.S. Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) that eliminates beneficial ownership information (“BOI”) reporting requirements for domestic entities and U.S. persons. The immediate result of the interim final rule is that no U.S. entities are