Sophie Smith’s practice focuses on the structuring and operation of private investment funds.

She has experience across a broad range of asset strategies and classes, including carried interest, co-investments, and other incentive arrangements. Sophie also advises on legal matters relating to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, as well as impact and growth investing.

Sophie joined the firm as a counsel in 2022.

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Notable Experiences

Prior to joining Cleary, Sophie’s Fund Formation experience included:

  • Ares Management on the formation of Ares Capital Europe IV, Ares Capital Europe V and various other fund related matters.

  • Montagu Private Equity on the formation of Montagu VI.

  • Livingbridge on the formation of Livingbridge 7, Livingbridge Enterprise 3 and various other fund related matters including, the formation of several co-investment vehicles and assistance with carry and co-investment arrangements.

  • Pollen Street Capital on the formation of PSC III, PSC IV and various other fund related matters.

  • Global Logistics Partners on the formation of several European real estate funds and various other fund related matters.

  • Principal Real Estate on the formation of Principal European Core Fund.

  • Alpine Grove Partners on the formation of a real estate co-investment platform.

  • Pegasus Capital Advisors on the formation of Global Sub-national Climate Fund.

  • Vedra Partners Limited on the formation of several impact-focused funds.

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Prior to joining Cleary, Sophie’s Secondary/GP-led experience included:

  • Quilvest Private Equity on several GP-led liquidity offerings.

  • Partners Group on numerous portfolio asset sales.

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Prior to joining Cleary, Sophie’s Limited Partner experience included:

  • Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, Apollo Global Management, European Investment Fund, Schroder Adveq, Coal Pension and Mineworkers’ Private Equity Trust, British Airways Pension, among others, on various primary investments.

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Selected Activities

  • Guest Tutor, Oxford Saïd Business School’s Executive MBA (2019, 2021)

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Events