Adam Z. Risell is a Partner in Simpson Thacher’s Investment Funds Practice and is based in the Washington, D.C. office. He advises asset managers and sponsors in connection with a broad range of capital raising and financing activities utilizing structured finance technology, including the formation of complex investment vehicles, such as rated note feeder and fund structures, collateralized fund obligations (“CFOs”) and other capital-efficient investment products, including those designed for investment by insurance companies. He also advises on the development and distribution of collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) captive funds, risk retention vehicles and other similarly specialized funds.
Adam has extensive experience in complicated financings designed to provide fund-level leverage to facilitate and support investment activities, including securitizations such as collateralized loan obligations, asset-backed lending facilities, NAV facilities, and other forms of back-leverage. He also counsels business development companies (“BDCs”) and other registered funds relating to structured financing techniques.
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Work Highlights
Notable experience includes advising:
- L Catterton in connection with the structuring, formation and offering of an approximately $400 million rated note fund vehicle
- StepStone in connection with a $500 million secondary CFO transaction for which a StepStone managed vehicle acquired a portfolio of fund interests in a secondary sale transaction
- A major financial institution in connection with the structuring, formation and offering of an approximately $750 million LP-led CFO transaction
- CVC Secondary Partners in connection with an approximately $786 million GP-led CFO transaction
- CVC Credit Partners in connection with the structuring and formation of a capitalized management vehicle designed to manage and invest in a series of CLOs
- Various financial institutions as structuring agents and investors in connection with the offerings of rated and unrated debt backed by portfolios of funds managed by major asset management companies
Accolades
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Super Lawyers Washington, D.C. “Rising Stars” (2021-2020)
Education
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University of Virginia School of Law, 2011 J.D.
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University of Virginia, 2011 M.B.A.
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Lehigh University, 2007 B.S.
with high honors
Admissions
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District of Columbia
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New York
Adam Z. Risell is a Partner in Simpson Thacher’s Investment Funds Practice and is based in the Washington, D.C. office. He advises asset managers and sponsors in connection with a broad range of capital raising and financing activities utilizing structured finance technology, including the formation of complex investment vehicles, such as rated note feeder and fund structures, collateralized fund obligations (“CFOs”) and other capital-efficient investment products, including those designed for investment by insurance companies. He also advises on the development and distribution of collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) captive funds, risk retention vehicles and other similarly specialized funds.
Adam has extensive experience in complicated financings designed to provide fund-level leverage to facilitate and support investment activities, including securitizations such as collateralized loan obligations, asset-backed lending facilities, NAV facilities, and other forms of back-leverage. He also counsels business development companies (“BDCs”) and other registered funds relating to structured financing techniques.
Notable experience includes advising:
- L Catterton in connection with the structuring, formation and offering of an approximately $400 million rated note fund vehicle
- StepStone in connection with a $500 million secondary CFO transaction for which a StepStone managed vehicle acquired a portfolio of fund interests in a secondary sale transaction
- A major financial institution in connection with the structuring, formation and offering of an approximately $750 million LP-led CFO transaction
- CVC Secondary Partners in connection with an approximately $786 million GP-led CFO transaction
- CVC Credit Partners in connection with the structuring and formation of a capitalized management vehicle designed to manage and invest in a series of CLOs
- Various financial institutions as structuring agents and investors in connection with the offerings of rated and unrated debt backed by portfolios of funds managed by major asset management companies
Adam received his B.S. in Integrated Business and Engineering, Finance from Lehigh University in 2007 and his M.B.A. from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in 2011. He received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2011 and is admitted to practice in New York and the District of Columbia.