Global law firm Shearman & Sterling today announces the appointment of Michael Saarinen as a Funds partner in New York City. Prior to joining Shearman & Sterling, Michael was a partner with Alston & Bird.

Michael advises U.S. and international asset managers, investors and principals on the formation and operation of private funds, alternative investment structures, and related advisory businesses. He represents sponsors in the formation of funds across a broad range of asset classes and strategies, including buyout, growth equity, venture capital, real estate, liquid markets, credit, distressed debt, infrastructure, energy, secondaries and fund-of-funds.

“Michael is a highly regarded partner who is well known for his expertise serving clients in the private funds space. His mix of experience, deep industry relationships and entrepreneurial style will be key to implementing our long-term strategic plan to grow in each of the practice’s core jurisdictions, with a particular focus on private capital, including private equity funds, hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds and family offices,” said David Beveridge, Senior Partner at Shearman & Sterling.

Commenting on Michael’s appointment, Sean Finley, a New York-based partner in the Firm’s Funds practice, added: “Michael’s broad experience on both the sponsor side and investor side of the private funds industry will complement our team’s agility and ability to serve a highly diverse, global client base engaged in all facets of the industry. It will also prove to be highly synergistic with the firm’s other practices that routinely work with such clients, particularly Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Clients, Litigation, Real Estate, Financial Regulatory, and Derivatives.”

Michael added: “I am excited to join such a prestigious firm and its global team of fund advisors. Both private funds and their investors showed great resilience during a very turbulent year and I look forward to working with my colleagues at Shearman & Sterling to guide clients as they establish new investment vehicles and deploy capital.”

Michael received his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Columbia University.