About
Jamil French is a legal advisor and capital introduction specialist for issuers and investors in the global private markets. He is a Partner at Pierson Ferdinand, and Founder/CEO of Arche Investments, a capital introduction advisory firm that helps fund managers and PE/VC deal sponsors connect with eligible investors.
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His career began as a Wall Street corporate lawyer at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and later at Seward & Kissel LLP, where he represented hedge and private equity fund sponsors, blue chip companies, investment banks, lending and other institutions. Mr. French later served as Associate General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Sandell Asset Management Corp., a mid-sized, multi-strategy hedge fund manager. In 2010, he joined Credit Suisse as Managing Director and Chief of Staff to an executive who oversaw the firm’s global HR, marketing and corporate communications functions, and later was Director and Senior Counsel for Pershing, a BNY Mellon company, covering the firm's global mutual fund and advisory custody businesses. Mr. French has taken away from each of these positions a deep understanding of the challenges facing issuers, investors and operators with the ability to help his business partners find effective solutions.
French received an A.B., cum laude, from Princeton University in 1997 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2001 where he served as a submissions editor for the Harvard International Law Journal. Institutional Investor Magazine named French a 2018 Hedge Fund Rising Star. In 2015, the Minority Corporate Counsel Association named him a “Rising Star”--an elite list of legal professionals who achieve excellence in their fields and have demonstrated a commitment to social justice. French is admitted to practice law in New York, Florida and before the United States Supreme Court. He holds Series 7 and 63 securities licenses on the Stonehaven brokerage platform.
Practices
Broker-Dealer Regulation
Private Equity
Private Investment Funds
Securities
Emerging Companies and Venture Capital
Admissions
Florida
New York
United States Supreme Court
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D., 2001
Princeton University, A.B., 1997
Recognition
Legal 500 US Elite Ranking (Miami – Finance and Restructuring)
Experience
Sterlington PLLC
Arche Investments LLC
FisherBroyles, LLP
Board and Committee Experience
Hedge Fund Association Family Office Subcommittee (Miami, Florida)
Board-appointed Chairman of subcommittee organized to educate HFA’s global membership about the benefits and unique challenges of attracting capital from family offices by programming quality content and events. Budgets created on a project/event basis ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000. Planned and executed two wildly successful industry events--one as a webinar during COVID-19 lockdown. Working together with one other Subcommittee member. Responsible for periodic reporting to the CEO, COO and Chairman of the HFA Board.
Wembley Partners Global Holdings, Inc. (Toronto, Canada)
Founding Board member for a global cybersecurity products and services holding company for companies providing bespoke Cyber Risk Advisory, Intelligence-led Penetration Testing, Strategic Risk Management consulting and Cyber Threat Intelligence offerings to businesses across North America and EMEA regions. First-year revenues of $1 million. Made introductions to several venture capital and high-net worth individuals seeking early-stage cybersecurity investments and consulted weekly with the CEO on strategy, branding, board and company compliance matters. Board position ended once the company reorganized and raised third-party capital around a SaaS-based product and dissolved WPGH.
New Triad for Performing Arts (New York, New York)
Board member for a 501(c)3 performing arts nonprofit devoted to helping young vocalists and instrumentalists bridge the gap between music conservatory and professional careers through educational workshops and showcase events. Annual budget of approximately $20,000 to $25,000. Responsibilities included donor solicitation, annual budget review, vendor contracting, legal matters (but not as counsel), and oversight of and attendance at performances. Left the Board when departed the Greater NYC metropolitan area.
Princeton Tower Club (Princeton, New Jersey)
Alumnus Board member for off-campus social club with a 501c3 educational foundation affiliation. Annual budget of approximately $75,000 to $100,000. Responsibilities included review of annual budgets, vendor contracting and oversight of undergraduate event planning. Left the board to focus on work and other personal commitments.