Sophie Smith’s practice focuses on the structuring and operation of private investment funds.
She has experience across a broad range of asset strategies and classes, including carried interest, co-investments, and other incentive arrangements. Sophie also advises on legal matters relating to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, as well as impact and growth investing.
Sophie joined the firm as a counsel in 2022.
Notable Experience
Prior to joining Cleary, Sophie’s Fund Formation experience included:
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Ares Management on the formation of Ares Capital Europe IV, Ares Capital Europe V and various other fund related matters.
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Montagu Private Equity on the formation of Montagu VI.
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Livingbridge on the formation of Livingbridge 7, Livingbridge Enterprise 3 and various other fund related matters including, the formation of several co-investment vehicles and assistance with carry and co-investment arrangements.
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Pollen Street Capital on the formation of PSC III, PSC IV and various other fund related matters.
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Global Logistics Partners on the formation of several European real estate funds and various other fund related matters.
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Principal Real Estate on the formation of Principal European Core Fund.
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Alpine Grove Partners on the formation of a real estate co-investment platform.
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Pegasus Capital Advisors on the formation of Global Sub-national Climate Fund.
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Vedra Partners Limited on the formation of several impact-focused funds.
Prior to joining Cleary, Sophie’s Secondary/GP-led experience included:
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Quilvest Private Equity on several GP-led liquidity offerings.
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Partners Group on numerous portfolio asset sales.
Prior to joining Cleary, Sophie’s Limited Partner experience included:
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Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, Apollo Global Management, European Investment Fund, Schroder Adveq, Coal Pension and Mineworkers’ Private Equity Trust, British Airways Pension, among others, on various primary investments.
Selected Activities
trigger- Guest Tutor, Oxford Saïd Business School’s Executive MBA (2019, 2021)
Publications
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Retail Investor Funds Accelerate Private Equity's Democratization Drive
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IPOs Set the Scene for Private Equity Companies to Get Exit Ready
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The Case for Creditor on Creditor Violence in European Restructuring
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Private Equity Market Snapshot: Silicon Valley Bank Focus April 2023
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From Industrials to Cleantech Germany Offers Private Equity Opportunities
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Strong Valuations Have Mixed Consequences for Private Equity
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Holding On: The Growing Benefits of Evergreen Fund Structures in Private Capital
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Which ESG Box To Check? Implications of How an Adviser Labels a Fund’s ESG Goals
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Rise of GP-Led Transactions Reshapes Private Equity Secondaries
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Large Target: The Growing Opportunity for Private Equity Investment in Sport
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GP-led Provisions in LPAs: Key Points to Consider for an Evolving Market
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Competition Watchdogs Increase Scrutiny of Private Equity Takeovers
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European Investment Remains Resilient in Challenging Conditions
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Beyond Just “Green”: The EU Taxonomy as a Traffic Light – From Red, to Amber, to Sustainable
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European Taxonomy: A “Green” Future for Nuclear, Gas and Bioenergy?
Events
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November 3, 2023
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September 6, 2022
Solving the Climate Crisis: What Role Can New Nuclear Technologies Play?
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June 17, 2021
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May 25, 2021