Stephen Ross Partner

Partner
DD +44 (0)20 7849 2305 T +44 (0)20 7831 9222 Email Stephen Download vCard

Stephen Ross is head of the firm's private funds and investment management group. He practices private investment fund formation and related corporate, investment management and regulatory work.

Stephen is recognised for his significant experience advising on funds supporting illiquid strategies (including private credit, equity, venture, real assets and food technology). He has led on some of Europe’s largest multi-billion dollar fundraisings and has been a key player in private capital for some thirty years.

Prior to joining Macfarlanes, Stephen led private investment funds teams at both US and magic circle firms. He also spent nine years as Group General Counsel at Europe’s largest alternative investment manager, where he also sat on the Executive Board, before returning to private practice. Thanks to this breadth of experience, Stephen has a deep understanding of the legal and business issues affecting our private capital clients.

Stephen is recognised in all the leading legal directories, including Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500 and IFLR1000.

Expertise

Recent work

A leading European private credit manager

Advising one of Europe’s leading private credit managers in closing a multi-vintage “Evergreen” direct lending Fund allowing for periodic subscriptions.

A leading European private credit manager

Advising one of Europe’s leading private credit managers closing a large single managed account in direct lending with one of the US major pension funds.

A European special situations lender

Advising one of Europe’s most successful special situations lenders in connection with their flagship fund, carry schemes and stake sale.

Various clients

Advising various clients in connection with litigation funding structures and related private credit offerings.

A world leading private capital allocator

Advising one of the world’s leading private capital allocators with respect to its private equity allocations to related funds and managed accounts mainly in the US.

A major family office

Advising a major family office seeding and taking stakes in private capital managers, with attendant fund establishment work.

See all

Related content

What people are saying

Next

"Stephen offers technical expertise alongside an unparalleled commercial insight from his impressive in-house career."

Chambers UK 2024

"Stephen is excellent at managing the teams around him, ensuring that he has the right skill set and level of seniority for each matter. Working with Stephen always feels like a partnership, rather than a client/service model."

Chambers UK 2024

"Stephen combines the experience of a heavyweight first-class private practice lawyer with a hugely successful prior career in industry. The result is that he offers an innate understanding of clients’ business needs and commercial solutions to complex legal scenarios."

Chambers UK 2023

"...he is a phenomenal funds lawyer and teacher whose client services are unparalleled."

Chambers UK 2023

"…incredible, brilliant mind with consistent excellence."

The UK Legal 500 2022

"One client commented that he has ‘incredible knowledge of the alternative investment management industry…He has been an extremely good sounding board through the growth of our investment management business."

The UK Legal 500 2022