Patricia Volhard is a partner in Debevoise’s Frankfurt and London offices and is a member of the firm’s Private Equity and Funds/Investment Management Groups. Her practice focuses on advising private funds (including on a range of European regulatory issues and structuring funds for EU insurance companies and pension funds).
Ms. Volhard is one of Europe’s leading private funds regulatory lawyers and has played a prominent role in the ongoing development of the area, in part through involvement in Invest Europe (formerly the European Private Equity & Venture Capital Association). She is the former Chair of its Tax, Legal & Regulatory Committee, as well as the current chair of its Financial Services/Regulatory Working Group. She is also a member of the Investment Management Consultative Working Group of the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”); the Legal Committee of BVK, the German private equity association; the Alternative Credit Technical Group of the Alternative Investment Management Association; and the Regulatory Committee of the Listed Private Equity Association.
Ms. Volhard has been recognised by the major legal directories as a leader in her field. She is recommended by The Legal 500 UK (2021) for her regulatory practice, with clients describing her as “a standout performer – top of her field.” Who’s Who Legal names her as one of the foremost investment management lawyers in Germany and has stated that she is “first-rate on regulatory advice in relation to the management of private funds to clients.”
She is also recommended as a leading lawyer for private equity and investment fund work by The Legal 500 EMEA (2020). In previous editions of the guide, clients note her “good know-how” and “good eye for clients’ needs.” She is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers Europe (2021), where clients say she is “superb,” “very thoughtful, practical, and a real asset.” The guide has also described her as “a major jewel of the crown” and a “top-notch regulatory expert for funds matters in the EU,” who “has a firm grasp of the European regulatory environment and can quickly summarise the relevant issues.” In previous editions of the guide, sources note that she has a “deep knowledge of fund structuring, offers a high level of flexibility and effectiveness, and is perfect for complex situations.” Handelsblatt ranked Ms. Volhard as “Best Lawyer of the year 2019” for Investment Law. She is also recognised as a National Leader for Investment Management by Who’s Who Legal Germany (2020) which highlights her strong regulatory practice. JUVE Handbuch Wirtschaftskanzleien (Handbook of Commercial Law Firms) (2016/2017) notes that she is “almost without competition in her practice area.” Ms. Volhard is also listed by Expert Guides in its Best of the Best list for investment funds, as well as in its annual Women in Business Law list.
Ms. Volhard has commented in the media and written numerous articles relating to various aspects of her practice. Ms. Volhard studied law in Frankfurt/Main, Strasbourg, and at the London School of Economics, where she obtained her LL.M. in 1999. Ms. Volhard is admitted to practise in Germany and France, and speaks fluent German, French and English.