Sarah Rothermel

Retired Partner

Sarah Rothermel built a substantial fund formation practice over the last 30 years, principally representing venture capital funds and private investment companies. She advised her clients on all aspects of their organization, management, operation and regulatory compliance by combining her knowledge of corporate, ERISA, securities and US and international tax laws. Ms. Rothermel was also the partner-in-charge of the Boston office until her retirement in 2015.

Practice

Ms. Rothermel principally represented venture capital funds and other private investment vehicles. She also represented LLCs, partnerships, joint ventures and closely-held non-corporate business enterprises. Among Ms. Rothermel's clients were America's premier venture capitalists, as well as numerous first time funds, family investment vehicles and other investment entities. Ms. Rothermel advised these clients on all aspects of their organization, management, operation and regulatory compliance, including issues arising under US and international tax laws, ERISA, the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act.

Ms. Rothermel's clients included Greylock, Highland Capital Partners, Matrix Partners, Flagship Ventures, Village Ventures and Xander Group.

Professional Activities

Ms. Rothermel frequently addresses attorneys and business professionals on business and legal aspects of LLC, partnership and joint venture organization and operation. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Boston Bar Association, and an advisory board member of the Private Equity CFO Organization.

Recognition

Honors & Awards

  • Named to the Americas Women in Business Law Awards 2012 and 2013 "Best in Private Equity" shortlist by Euromoney Legal Media Group
  • Recognized as a national leader in investment funds: venture capital, investment funds: private equity: fund formation and a Massachusetts leader in private equity: fund formation in the 2007-2014 editions of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. Listed in the publication since 2003, and noted in 2014 as being "very knowledgeable on fund formation" with "a good feel of where the market is" and that she is "always striving to find a legal and commercial solution." In 2013, sources said she has a "very customer and business-oriented" approach and commented in 2004 that she has "impeccable technical expertise" in the negotiation of new funds.
  • Recognized for her exceptional investment funds: private equity: fund formation practice in the 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 editions of Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business
  • Listed in the 2008, 2011 and 2014 editions of Who's Who Legal: The International Who's Who of Private Funds Lawyers  
  • Selected by peers for inclusion in the 2006-2015 editions of the Best Lawyers in America in the area of private funds/hedge funds law and was named the 2015 Boston Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law "Lawyer of the Year"
  • Recognized in Legal Media Group's Guide to the World's Leading Private Equity Lawyers 2008  
  • Recognized each year by Boston Magazine as a "New England Super Lawyer" (formerly "Massachusetts Super Lawyer") in corporate finance
  • A recommended lawyer in the 2003 edition of Global Counsel 3000

Insights & News

Credentials

  • Education

    • JD, Boston University School of Law, 1981

      magna cum laude Executive Editor, Boston University School of Law Law Review
    • BA, Wellesley College, 1978

  • Admissions

    • Massachusetts

Credentials

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