John R. O'Neil

John O’Neil’s legal knowledge, business savvy, and leadership of complex transactions have earned him a reputation as a global leader in private equity fund matters. John heads the Investment Funds Practice Group, the Firm’s leading-edge global platform that provides innovative and bespoke legal strategies to sponsors and funds of all kinds. John is also a member of the Firm's Executive Committee.

John has been recognized by Chamber’s Global, Chambers USA, IFLR 1000, Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal where he was described as a “‘phenomenal lawyer,’ acknowledged for his strong track record representing large sponsors” and being “extremely smart and creative.” Founders look to John as a valued business partner and a global thought leader on identifying market trends, creating and executing plans across AUM, product line and geographical expansion.

As the advisor of choice of some of the world’s most sophisticated and dynamic investment funds, John has guided clients for over two decades through a myriad of operational issues as well as extraordinary events involving investment funds and their sponsors. His breadth of experience includes helping clients successfully navigate “key person” events, investor defaults, spin-outs, GP liquidity solutions and other significant transactions. John is a founding member of the Firm’s Investment Funds Crisis Management Group, which guides investment fund sponsors, advisory boards, and other market participants through some of their most challenging situations.

John’s long-standing industry relationships and deep understanding of the investment funds landscape are game-changers for the Firm’s clients. John is a founding member of the New York City Investment Funds Society, which regularly convenes the leading American lawyers who advise sponsors. He is an in-demand speaker on the investment funds industry, addressing audiences at the International Bar Association conference, New York Private Equity Network, and the New York City Bar Center for CLE.

John received his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is admitted in New York, Massachusetts and Illinois.