Benjamin Drai

Benjamin Drai is an associate in Goodwin’s Real Estate Industry and Private Investment Funds practice. Prior to joining Goodwin, Ben was an Assistant Vice-President in BNP Paribas’ legal department, representing the bank in connection with various OTC derivatives and fixed income matters.

Ben’s fund formation practice focuses on the representation of sponsors in the formation of private real estate debt and equity funds and includes establishing funds through US and international offerings, organizing fund manager and sponsor entities, advising fund managers and sponsors in establishing compensation structures and internal operating policies, representing funds and investors in the preparation and negotiation of fund formation and investment documents, and restructuring the terms of existing investment funds. Ben has experience in establishing a variety of domestic and international private investment vehicles, including real estate funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds, and infrastructure funds, whether open ended or closed ended. Ben’s work in real estate funds has covered many asset classes including office, multifamily, retail and industrial, as well as data centers and self storage. Ben also advises on operational, compensation and regulatory matters, including internal GP arrangements, credit facilities, Securities Act, Investment Company Act, Advisers Act, CFTC and ERISA.

Ben also has significant experience representing banks in connection with OTC derivatives and fixed-income matters as well as experience representing agents and lenders in connection with secured lending transactions.

Ben is a member of the New York State Bar Association.

At BNP Paribas, Ben primarily focused on OTC derivatives and fixed-income legal documentation matters. He gained significant experience drafting and negotiating various trading agreements, such as ISDAs, MRAs/GMRAs, and MSFTAs, in addition to more bespoke agreements for fixed-income products.