Jonathan Adler is a member of the Investment Management Group and Co-Chair of the firm’s Private Equity Group. He is also a member of the Special Situations team. His practice focuses on advising sponsors of private investment funds, including buyout, growth capital, energy, infrastructure, credit and real estate funds. In addition to his work with U.S. and European funds, Mr. Adler has also advised clients in establishing private equity funds, offices and joint ventures in various emerging markets, including Africa, India and South America. Mr. Adler’s recent experience includes acting for clients such as Avanath Capital, Carlyle, Carmel Partners, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Crescent Capital Group, Global Infrastructure Partners, JP Morgan, KKR, Prudential Capital Group, and Vinci Partners.
Mr. Adler is ranked as a leading lawyer for private equity funds by Chambers Global (2024) and Chambers USA (2024), where clients note that he is “a brilliant negotiator” who is “pragmatic and provides outstanding advice.” Sources have also said that he is “a very smart practitioner who has a strong knowledge of the market” and “an incredible ability to synthesize complex information.” They have described him as a “quick thinker” who “cuts to the heart of a problem quickly,” “a supremely talented fund formation lawyer providing thoughtful and commercial advice; he is very creative.” Clients have also noted that he has a “fine combination of really good technical skills and a really good sense of the commercial and practical realities” and that he is “an extraordinary lawyer; he's very thoughtful and brings a commercial, get-things-resolved attitude.” Mr. Adler is also recognized as a leading lawyer for private equity funds in The Legal 500 US (2024), where he is described as “extremely astute and commercial.” In previous editions of the guide, he is said to be “a standout partner,” “a deep thinker” and noted as being “very creative in finding solutions.” He was named to Private Funds Management’s “30 Under 40”, which recognizes the top private equity funds lawyers under the age of 40. He was also named a Rising Star by Law360 (2017) and is recommended by IFLR1000 (2022). Mr. Adler was also named to The American Lawyer’s “Dealmakers of the Year” list (2024).
Mr. Adler joined the firm in 2005. He received a J.D. magna cum laude from New York University in 2005, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif, and a B.S. from Cornell University in 2002. Mr. Adler is admitted to the bar in New York.