November 7, 2022
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that James M. Hays will join the firm’s Houston office as a partner, where he will continue to counsel private fund sponsors on the organization and administration of private investment funds across a diverse range of asset classes and strategies.
“We are delighted to welcome James to Gibson Dunn,” said Michael P. Darden, Partner-in-Charge of the Houston office of Gibson Dunn. “James is a highly talented investment funds lawyer whose deep market knowledge and in-house experience at Blackstone will add further breadth to our premier investment funds practice.”
“James has the benefit of having practiced both in-house and as outside counsel, which make his skillset particularly attractive for investment fund sponsors navigating today’s highly competitive fundraising environment and deepens our bench of practitioners with similar experiences,” said Shukie Grossman, Co-Chair of the firm’s Investment Funds Practice Group. “In addition to advising on fund formation matters across all key asset classes, James also has extensive experience with European fund distribution and the establishment of investment funds in Luxembourg which are increasingly featured in the market. He will not only be an excellent addition to our practice in the growing Texas market but a key asset to our distinguished global practice as well.”
“I am thrilled to join Gibson Dunn,” said Hays. “The firm’s sophisticated investment funds platform and depth of capabilities are a terrific bolster to the service of my clients and the expansion of my practice. The firm’s reputation for a truly collaborative culture precedes it, and I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues as we help our clients achieve their fundraising goals.”
About James M. Hays
Hays focuses on representing sponsors in the organization and administration of private investment funds across a diverse range of asset classes and strategies, including real estate, energy, and infrastructure. In addition, he also frequently advises asset managers on matters related to the distribution of alternative investment funds in Europe and the establishment of funds in Luxembourg.
Before joining Gibson Dunn, Hays led the private funds practice in Houston at another international law firm. Previously, he was a vice president in the real estate group at Blackstone Inc. In this role, he advised on multiple fund-raises and co-investments, as well as regulatory and strategic initiatives for Blackstone’s global real estate portfolio. Hays was also integral to the establishment of Blackstone’s Luxembourg-based alternative investment fund manager, Blackstone Europe Fund Management. He began his career at Simpson Thacher in New York.
Hays graduated summa cum laude in 2010 from Brooklyn Law School, where he was valedictorian. Following graduation, Hays served as a law clerk for Judge Edward R. Korman in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.