Willkie Farr & Gallagher adds Matthew Block as a Partner in New York

Willkie Farr & Gallagher adds Matthew Block as a Partner in New York

Previously, he was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has announced the joining of Matthew Block as a Partner in the Asset Management Department.

He focuses on private equity fund formation with a particular emphasis on secondaries and other liquidity solutions-focused transactions.

Phil Isom, the Chair of Willkie’s global private funds practice remarked, “Block is a talented advisor with a comprehensive set of skills in the private fund formation sector and we are delighted to welcome him to our team. Our activity in the secondaries sector has been growing rapidly, representing both sponsors and investors in GP-led secondaries transactions, as well as buyers and sellers of portfolio interests in traditional portfolio sales.”

Isom added, “Block’s significant fund formation and transactional experience in the liquidity solutions space further enhances the scale of our practice group and reflects our commitment to meeting our clients’ expanding needs.”

Block commented, “Willkie is known for its world-class asset management practice and I’m excited to join the firm’s talented team of practitioners, adding to the depth of its global funds practice. The demand from sponsors and investors for liquidity solutions is experiencing exponential growth and the chance to continue the growth of my practice on its platform is a fantastic opportunity.”

Block was previously a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis. A Certified Public Accountant, he is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

He also counsels fund sponsors on the formation and operation of private equity, real estate, credit, distressed and seed capital. He has advised on fundraises ranging from $100 million to over $30 billion. He has also guided clients in GP-stakes transactions and seeding arrangements.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher’s preeminent asset management department leverages comprehensive subject matter experience and capabilities, advising virtually all types of participants in the asset management industry, including privately owned sponsors and investment managers, publicly traded asset management firms, broker-dealers, insurance companies, wealth management platforms, and banks.

With more than 110 attorneys and over 250 clients across seven offices in the US and Europe, the law firm advises on the full spectrum of investment management matters, including fund formations, investments, restructurings, fund financings, GP stake sales and purchase, liquidity and capital solutions transactions, and operational, compliance, and regulatory issues.