Freshfields Strengthens Private Capital Practice with Partner Brett Bush in New York

Global law firm Freshfields continues to expand its U.S. private capital platform with the addition of New York-based private funds and secondaries partner Brett Bush. His appointment builds on a series of strategic investments across Freshfields' U.S. platform and reflects continued client demand for integrated counsel with strength across transactions, regulatory and litigation matters.

“Private funds and secondaries is a core focus area within our Private Capital group, and bringing Brett on board underscores our dedication to deepening our platform in the U.S.,” said U.S. Managing Partner Damien Zoubek. “This step reaffirms our ambition to serve as the trusted partner for both fund sponsors and their investors as they navigate a secondaries market in which demand is at an all-time high."

Brett’s practice in the private funds and investment management space encompasses advising on large-scale fund formations, cutting-edge secondary and liquidity transactions, innovative co-investments and syndication structures, both new products and new entrants in the marketplace, highly bespoke platforms and separate accounts, GP stakes and seeding, as well as the day-to-day operations of and complex regulatory concerns facing sponsors and investors spanning all shapes, sizes, industries and experience. He also guides and executes a spectrum of funds and corporate transactions, steering clients through GP-led and LP-led transactions, structured secondaries, synthetic secondaries, fundless sponsor transactions, stapled offerings, preferred equity, continuation funds, fund restructurings, sports and media investments and other strategic ventures, acquisitions and exits.

Matthew Goulding, co-head of the firm's global Private Capital practice noted: "Brett's deep understanding of the funds and secondaries market—honed over years leading complex transactions in what has become the fastest-growing area in the private funds space—make him a valuable addition to our Private Capital practice. His appointment reflects our commitment to building on the significant early success in our Private Funds and Secondaries offering."

The Private Funds & Secondaries team regularly executes on secondaries transactions of varying scales, both GP-side and buy-side, which has quickly earned the team market recognition. Legal 500 notes that clients praise the team as "very commercial, fast-paced, knowledgeable and good advocates for their clients," adding that "particularly their secondary practice stands out."

Today’s news marks the 11th strategic U.S. partner addition this year, underscoring Freshfields' continued investment in building leading capabilities across key client priorities, including private capital, M&A, restructuring, litigation and life sciences. In addition to Brett Bush, these partners include M&A partners Keith Hallam and Bethany Pfalzgraf, White Collar & Investigations partners Daniel L. Stein, Danny Grooms, Alessio Evangelista and Nema Milaninia, Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation partner Kathleen Emberger, Restructuring partner Amit Trehan and Life Sciences partners Andrea Devoe and Carlo Felizardo.

Brett added: "I’m humbled to be able to join such an exceptional firm and to work alongside lawyers that I so deeply admire. Freshfields is doing something truly remarkable in this space: building a funds platform not only with unparalleled breath and capabilities, but one with a truly integrated infrastructure that has the agility to meet this moment and to be out in front of where we’re heading. But even more than the innovation and vision, I was most drawn to the firm’s culture and commitment to client service – with not only the highest standards for quality but also for providing client solutions that are personal from true partners that care about the clients’ business as much as they do.”

Freshfields' Private Capital practice has grown significantly over recent years, reflecting the firm's continued investment in one of its fastest-growing areas. The practice comprises more than 300 lawyers globally, spanning M&A, finance, funds, tax, antitrust, regulatory and disputes. Freshfields ranks #8 globally in Bloomberg's FY 2025 league tables, highlighting its strength advising sponsors on complex, cross-border investments and exits, and holds the #1 ranking in both Private Equity and Buyouts in Chambers Global.