Shearman & Sterling Hires Alston & Bird Funds Partner Saarinen

Shearman & Sterling has hired Michael Saarinen, a partner at Alston & Bird, for its investment funds practice in New York.

Saarinen advises clients on forming and operating funds involving private equity, hedges, venture capital, real estate and credit, according to the firm. He also advises on regulatory and compliance issues, governance, and strategic M&A transactions, it said.

The hire is part of a strategic plan to grow the investment funds practice with a focus on private capital, said David Beveridge, a senior partner at the firm, in a statement. “His mix of experience, deep industry relationships and entrepreneurial style will be key,” Beveridge said.

Saarinen joined Alston & Bird from Goodwin Procter in 2016. Prior to that, he was an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. He briefly served as general counsel and chief compliance officer at SECOR Asset Management.

“Both private funds and their investors showed great resilience during a very turbulent year,” Saarinen said, adding that he’s looking forward “to guide clients as they establish new investment vehicles and deploy capital.”