John O'Connell
Partner, Sydney
I specialise in fund formation and institutional private investment. I act for investment managers and institutional investors in Australia and internationally in connection with their investment funds and mandates, on investment terms and structures, and on associated legal and regulatory matters.

I advise fund managers and investors on the establishment of private equity and venture capital funds, credit funds, hospitality and real estate funds, and other structured funds and alternative investment products – with particular expertise in multi-vehicle fund structures utilising trusts, VCLPs, ESVCLPs, AFOFs, and offshore limited partnerships.

I advise both managers and investors on investment management agreements and on private direct investments (such as venture capital, private equity, infrastructure, joint ventures, and other alternative investments). I also advise fund managers and management teams on shareholder, carried interest, and profit sharing arrangements, as well as on Australian financial services licensing and other regulatory requirements.

I am admitted to practice law in New South Wales, England and Wales and the State of New York, and in addition to my years of experience in Australia I worked for many years advising fund managers in international markets (first London and then Hong Kong). 

Career highlights

  • Acorn Capital on the establishment of the Acorn Capital Private Opportunities Fund, Acorn Capital Expansion Fund, and Acorn Capital Expansion Fund II
  • Advent Partners on the establishment of Advent Partners 1
  • AMP on its Multi-Asset Group (MAG) transformation project
  • Australian Unity on the Retirement Village Investment Notes (Series 5 and 6)
  • Cultiv8 Funds Management on the establishment of the Cultiv8 Fund
  • Ellerston Capital on the Ellerston Emerging Companies Funds
  • Exto BV3 Capital on the establishment of the BV3 Fund
  • Lendlease on the establishment of Real Estate Partners 4 Fund
  • Salter Brothers on the establishment of the Salter Brothers Hospitality Real Estate Fund and Salter Brothers Hospitality Retreat Fund
  • Tanarra Capital on the establishment of the Tanarra Long Term Value Fund, the Tanarra Long Term Value Fund II and the Tanarra Australian Recovery Fund
  • Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance on the establishment of the Victorian Business Growth Fund