Thomas J LaFond

Thomas J. LaFond

Partner
Thomas J. LaFond
Boston
+1 617 570 1990

Tom LaFond is a partner in Goodwin’s Private Equity group and Asset Management Transactions practice. He advises clients in a variety of industries on a broad range of transactional, securities and regulatory matters. He has particular expertise in the asset management industry, where he represents managers, fund sponsors, management teams and private equity and strategic investors in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructurings, and minority investments. He advises firms and management teams in lift-out transactions and succession planning, including structuring ownership and governance arrangements to protect and enhance firm value.

Tom counsels financial services firms on fiduciary, regulatory and transactional matters relating to their asset management activities, including structuring portfolio investments, formation and operation of public and private investment funds, and capital markets transactions.

Experience

Tom's transactional experience includes representing:

  • First Eagle Investment Management in strategic transactions
  • TA Associates in various acquisitions, restructurings and dispositions of asset management firms
  • Abingworth in its sale to Carlyle
  • Segall Bryant & Hamill in its sale to CI Financial
  • Exeter Property Group in its sale to EQT
  • State Street Bank & Trust Company in transactions and joint ventures
  • Virtus Investment Partners in strategic acquisitions
  • Affiliated Managers Group in acquisitions and restructurings of asset management and wealth management firms
  • Boston Private Bank & Trust Company in restructurings and sales of wealth management firms
  • TA Realty in its sale to Mitsubishi Estate Company
  • Boston Private Bank & Trust Company in acquisitions, sales and restructurings of wealth management firms
  • Estancia Capital Partners in control and minority investments
  • Knights of Columbus in strategic investments and restructurings of asset managers
  • Numerous targets and investors in strategic and “GP stakes” minority investment transactions

Professional Activities

Tom is a member of the American Bar Association and the Boston Bar Association. He has been a panel speaker on matters relating to asset management M&A.

Credentials

Education

JD1994

Stanford Law School

BA1991

Harvard University

Clerkships

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Honorable John D. Butzner, Jr.

Admissions

Bars

  • Massachusetts
  • California

Publications

Presenter, “Wealth Manager M&A Legal Considerations,” Financial Planning Association of New England’s Succession Summit, June 2024