Shepherd advises private fund sponsors in all aspects of the formation, structuring, and ongoing operation of private equity funds, as well as the establishment and governance of associated management companies and other related investment vehicles.
Vinson & Elkins announced today that it has enhanced its Investment Funds practice with the addition of Partner Samara Shepherd in Houston.
Shepherd represents both established and emerging fund managers and has significant experience guiding first-time fund managers through the complexities of launching their inaugural funds, offering tailored strategies and practical solutions to address the unique challenges these emerging sponsors face. Her experience spans a broad spectrum of fund sizes, structures, and strategies, including sponsors that are focused on the energy and infrastructure sectors and growth and buyout thematic investments.
She also counsels fund managers on a wide range of general corporate and regulatory matters, including governance, succession planning, compensation arrangements, and other key operational considerations. She is experienced in secondary transactions, including GP-led restructurings, continuation funds, and sales of fund interests. Her practice further encompasses advising clients on fund-related aspects of complex mergers and acquisitions involving private equity-backed portfolio companies.
“Samara will provide instant value to our clients because of her deep understanding of investor dynamics and the fact that she is a consummate team player who is a joy to work with,” said Vinson & Elkins Partner Robert Seber, head of the firm’s Investment Funds practice. “Her arrival marks an exciting moment for our growing, full-service Investment Funds practice and our complementary asset management teams.”
Shepherd was previously a partner in the Investment Funds practice group at Kirkland & Ellis. She is the third Investment Funds partner to join Vinson & Elkins this year from Kirkland & Ellis, along with Samuel Francis and Reed Schuster.
“I was enticed by the energy and dynamic vision of Vinson & Elkins’ Investment Funds team, along with the depth and strength of the firm’s leading Corporate practice,” Shepherd said. “I look forward to reuniting with Reed and Sam and to working with Robert and the Investment Funds practice, particularly within the energy and infrastructure sectors, to deliver fund solutions that match the sophistication and ambitions of our clients.”
Shepherd received a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Florida State University and a Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt Law School.
Vinson & Elkins’ Investment Funds practice represents a broad range of sponsors and investors in the formation and operation of private investment funds, provides investment advisers with comprehensive regulatory counsel and ongoing compliance support, and advises managers on a wide array of transactional matters spanning a firm’s upper-tier management companies to a fund’s underlying portfolio companies. The Investment Funds team is fully integrated with the firm’s other market-leading practices, working closely with lawyers across the firm’s offices worldwide to develop customized terms and innovative structures that meet the evolving business objectives of the firm’s clients and address the diverse requirements of their investors.
