Pamela Poland Chen

Pamela Chen embodies Kirkland’s ‘can do’ ethos. Knowledgeable but practical as well in helping clients achieve their business objectives.” - The Legal 500 United States, 2024

Pamela Chen is an investment funds partner in the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Chambers USA reports that clients say their experience working with her “has been outstanding. She is incredibly responsive and attentive.”

Pamela represents registered open-end and closed-end funds, interval funds, tender offer funds and business development companies (BDCs), and their investment advisers, sponsors and independent board members. She advises on the structuring, formation and operations of a range of registered alternative products, including registered funds of private funds, manager of manager funds and liquid alternatives. Pamela also provides counsel to funds and investment advisers on matters arising under the federal securities laws, regulatory compliance, and a broad range of transactions involving funds and advisory organizations.

Most recently, she served as in-house counsel responsible for all legal matters arising out of the U.S. retail business of a large asset management firm. There, she was responsible for the structuring and formation of the firm’s first interval funds. She also advised on the firm’s strategic vision for new retail investment vehicles and investment strategies (including alternative, sustainable and ESG products).

Pamela is a frequent speaker at conferences and events in the asset management industry, including those hosted by the Investment Company Institute and the Mutual Fund Directors Forum.

Pamela’s representative clients include Ares, Brigade, Fortress, Lord Abbett, Oppenheimer, TCW and 5C Investment Partners. She also represented Engine No. 1 in the sale of its ETF business to The TCW Group.