Rebecca F. Silberstein is Co-Head of the firm’s Private Equity Group and has built a leading fund formation practice over her 25 years at the firm. She focuses on advising private equity firms and financial sponsors of private investment funds, including global private equity, leveraged buyout, energy and infrastructure, banking and financial services, mezzanine, credit and distressed debt funds, as well as bespoke funds and separate accounts.
She also advises on carry plans, employee investment programs and acquisitions and dispositions of interests in private equity firms, as well as joint ventures and strategic partnerships, management team spin-outs and the establishment of new private equity firms.
Ms. Silberstein’s clients include Allianz, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Credit Suisse, Global Infrastructure Partners, Kelso & Company, KKR, Morgan Stanley, Odyssey Investment Partners, One Rock Capital, Stone Point Capital and WeWork.
Ms. Silberstein was named to The American Lawyer’s “45 Under 45” list of the top women lawyers, where she is applauded for building a high-profile practice with “a unique mix of tenacity and grace.” Ms. Silberstein is ranked in the top band for private equity fund formation by Chambers USA, where she is described by sources as “a fount of knowledge,” and “a market leader.”
She has received extensive praise from clients who laud her “great advocacy and great representation in the context of a very commercial backdrop” and endorse her “incredibly thoughtful and business-minded approach,” noting that “she has a tremendous understanding of the issues that are unique to this industry and is a standout negotiator.” She is recognized as a leading lawyer in Chambers Global(2019), and in previous editions of the guide, sources say she “always understands the issues, is very commercial in her approach and understands our business and sensitivities well.” Ms. Silberstein is recommended by The Legal 500 US (2018), recognized as a Notable Woman in Law by Crain’s New York Business (2019), listed as a Most Highly Regarded Individual in New York for private funds by Who’s Who Legal Private Funds: Formation (2017), and she is noted as a highly regarded lawyer for Investment Funds Private Funds in the United States by IFLR 1000 (2019). In 2016, she was named “Best in Investment Funds” at the fifth annual Americas Women in Business Law Awards presented by Euromoney Legal Media Group.
Ms. Silberstein is the New York City Bar Association’s 2018-2021 Chair of the Private Investment Funds Committee and has been a leader of the International Bar Association’s Investment Funds Committee for over a decade, serving as 2017-2018 Co-Chair of the Committee. She was the 2014 Chair and is a leading member of the Private Investment Funds Forum and is an Advisory Board Member of the Private Equity CFO Association.
Ms. Silberstein is also a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences. She is on the Organizing Committee of the IBA’s Private Investment Funds Conference and is Chair of the 2019 IBA Annual Conference on the Globalisation of Investment Funds.
Ms. Silberstein joined Debevoise in 1993 and became a partner in 2001. She received her B.A. magna cum laude from Yeshiva University in 1990 and her J.D. summa cum laude from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 1993, where she was a supervising editor of the Law Review.
Experience:
- KKR in various fund formation, separate account, joint venture and regulatory matters, including in the formation of KKR Energy Income & Growth Fund, a $2 billion energy and natural resources fund.
- Kelso & Company in raising over $11 billion, including in the formation of:
- Kelso Investment Associates IX, a $2.6 billion U.S. buyout fund.
- Kelso Investment Associates VIII, a $5.1 billion U.S. buyout fund.
- Kelso Investment Associates VII, a $2.1 billion U.S. buyout fund.
- Kelso Investment Associates VI, a $1.5 billion U.S. buyout fund.
- Stone Point Capital in raising approximately $18.2 billion, including in the formation of:
- Trident VII, a $5.5 billion financial services buyout fund.
- Trident VI, a $4.25 billion financial services buyout fund.
- Trident V, a $3.5 billion financial services buyout fund.
- Trident IV, a $2.5 billion financial services buyout fund.
- Trident III, a $1.1 billion financial services buyout fund.
- Trident II, a $1.35 billion financial services buyout fund.
- Morgan Stanley Capital Partners and Morgan Stanley Credit Partners in various private fund formation and regulatory matters, including in the formation of:
- North Haven Energy Capital Fund, a $660 million North America power/energy fund.
- North Haven Capital Partners VI, a $1.5 billion global buyout fund.
- North Haven Infrastructure Partners II, a $3.6 billion global infrastructure fund.
- Morgan Stanley Capital Partners V, a $1.68 billion global buyout fund.
- Morgan Stanley Credit Partners II, a $963 million credit opportunities fund.
- Morgan Stanley Credit Partners, a $1 billion credit opportunities fund.
- The management team of MMC Capital in its acquisition of MMC Capital, the private equity subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, which is now named Stone Point Capital LLC.
- One Rock Capital Partners in the various fund formation activity, including:
One Rock Capital Partners II, a $964 million U.S. buyout fund.
Education:
- Yeshiva University, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, 1993, J.D.
- Yeshiva University, 1990, B.A.
Bar Admissions:
- New York
Cost
Rate : $$$