Winstead has a team of over a dozen attorneys who specialize in investment management and private funds. These professionals dedicate the majority of their time to serving clients in this sector. The leadership team prioritizes exceptional client service while continuously enhancing the team’s expertise and experience within the industry.

Andrew Rosell
Co-Chair, Investment Management & Private Funds

Andrew Rosell is a business and solution-oriented attorney, strategically guiding investment managers, family offices and professional and institutional investors in all aspects of their business.  He brings to the table a robust background as a staff auditor at Ernst & Young, focusing on real estate audit and consulting, as well as more than 8 years serving as the former General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Kleinheinz Capital Partners, Inc., a multi-billion-dollar SEC-registered investment adviser. (Full Bio)

Burke McDavid
Co-Chair, Investment Management & Private Funds

Burke McDavid is a seasoned attorney with a comprehensive understanding of investment management, compliance, and corporate law. Continuing his distinguished career spanning more than two decades, he brings a wealth of experience in both private practice as well as overseeing legal and compliance matters as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for a registered investment adviser. (Full Bio)

Jarrod Azopardi

Jarrod Azopardi’s practice focuses primarily on representing hedge funds, private equity, and other alternative asset managers in fund formation, governance, structuring, internal operations, regulatory compliance, and related matters. Jarrod also advises clients on issues that arise at all stages of a company’s development, ranging from entity formation and governance to general corporate counsel work, and he has transactional experience in a variety of contractual matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, and financing. (Full Bio)

Preston (Trip) Dyer

Preston “Trip” Dyer provides strategic federal and state tax planning advice for a broad range of transactions throughout the lifecycle of a business entity, from formation to exit. He has robust experience with entity formations, mergers and acquisitions, real estate development and investments, and tax credit financing. He also routinely assists investment managers in the formation and operation of private investment funds and family offices and represents nonprofit corporations in connection with obtaining tax exemptions and operations. (Full Bio)

Gavin Fearey

Gavin Fearey is a member of Winstead’s Corporate, Securities/Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group and the firm’s Investment Management & Private Funds Industry Group. Over the past 7 years, Gavin has counseled investment managers, public companies, bitcoin ‘hodlers’, bitcoin custody and infrastructure providers, digital asset platforms, and other businesses active in the cryptocurrency space or exploring blockchain opportunities. He is a frequent speaker on U.S. regulatory considerations for investment in bitcoin or other digital assets. (Full Bio)

Toby Galloway

Toby Galloway has significant experience representing private funds and investment managers in regulatory matters before the SEC, CFTC, FINRA, state securities regulators, and the Department of Justice, among others. He has represented hedge funds in cases involving alleged market manipulation through practices such as spoofing, layering, and short-and-distort allegations.
These cases resulted in no charges being filed by the SEC and prevailing in civil litigation brought by private litigants. He has also represented asset managers in obtaining relief in connection with
mismanagement by other firms. (Full Bio)

Matthias Kleinsasser

Matthias Kleinsasser is a seasoned litigator with experience in federal district court, bankruptcy court, and Texas state court. He is, first and foremost, a problem solver who takes a holistic approach to each matter in light of the client’s goals and concerns. He is equally comfortable negotiating a resolution to a dispute out of court or litigating a high-stakes lawsuit. His experience in the fields
of bankruptcy and creditors’ rights allows him to advise clients with respect to post-judgment remedies and debt restructuring options, enabling him to take a representation from the pre-suit
stage to post-judgment proceedings with ease. (Full Bio)

Barbara Klepper

Barbara Klepper is a shareholder in Winstead’s Tax Practice Group, whose practice encompasses all aspects of executive compensation, nonqualified and qualified employee benefits planning, and related tax matters. She regularly helps clients navigate complex executive compensation, benefits, and tax issues in mergers and acquisitions and other business transactions and frequently advises on post-closing benefits structuring, Section 409A, and 280G issues, negotiating severance and executive employment contracts, change of control agreements, and drafting and structuring equity incentive plans and arrangements. She also counsels governing boards of directors, compensation committees, and benefits and investment committees. She is known for her ability to provide practical, effective advice while meeting the business objectives and fiduciary obligations of her clients. (Full Bio)

Jarratt Watkins

Jarratt Watkins focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, and general corporate matters. He regularly works with publicly traded and privately held corporate companies, as well as private equity firms and management companies, on complex mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, and internal restructurings. He has worked on behalf of clients in a broad range of industries, including investment management, financial services, manufacturing, aerospace, technology, retail goods, energy, and entertainment. (Full Bio)

Taylor E. White

Taylor White partners with senior business leaders, HR professionals, corporate counsel, and key decision-makers on employment decisions and litigation. He serves as a dedicated resource and advocate for employers and managers dealing with workplace issues in both courtrooms and meeting rooms. Taylor works closely with the Investment Management & Private Funds Industry Group to provide clients with guidance on compensation and the enforcement of restrictive covenants. He has helped businesses in this industry draft employment agreements, assess risks, manage employment issues, and litigate claims involving trade secrets and restrictive covenants tailored to the industry. (Full Bio)