Firms should review their employment related agreements to determine if any changes are necessary. In September 2023, the SEC issued orders against each of D.E. Shaw & Co., L.P. (“D.E. Shaw”), CBRE, Inc. (“CBRE”) and Monolith Resources LLC (“Monolith”) in connection with provisions in their separation agreements and other employment-related documents that violated Rule 21F-17…
JASON P. GRUNFELD
PARTNER
Jason Grunfeld advises private investment funds on the full spectrum of strategic issues related to their formation, structure and operation. Jason’s depth of industry knowledge allows him to quickly understand his clients’ business objectives and helps them achieve their goals. Jason is also Kleinberg Kaplan’s head of business development and one of the firm’s hiring partners.
Practices
About
Jason brings a breadth of experience to his clients. In addition to drafting a fund’s offering documents, Jason drafts and negotiates side letters, seed/acceleration deals and managed account agreements. He also structures agreements among the principals of management companies and helps clients with marketing agreements and investor presentations. On the employment side, Jason drafts both employment agreements and termination/separation agreements for executives, within the financial services area as well as in other sectors.
Described by Chambers Global and Chambers USA as a “fantastic lawyer” and “super diligent,” and lauded for his unique ability to break down complex topics, Jason is highly regarded throughout the private investment funds industry. He frequently speaks at industry conferences and events, and is an active thought leader and presenter for a prominent COO/CFO Hedge Fund Group. In addition to Chambers, Jason has been recognized by commentary in The Legal 500: United States, IFLR1000, Super Lawyers, and Marquis Who’s Who. Who’s Who Legal has also noted him as one of the top lawyers for “Private Funds.”
Jason facilitates connections for clients and service providers by leveraging his robust network that includes prime brokers, major accounting firms and fund administrators. He brings to bear his networking skills and client focus as the head of business development for Kleinberg Kaplan, a role in which he oversees the firm’s approach to client service.
As one of the firm’s hiring partners, Jason is responsible for identifying and hiring top-tier talent to join the Kleinberg Kaplan team.
Education
George Washington University (J.D., 2001)
University of Wisconsin (B.A., 1998)
Bar Admissions
2002, New York
Speaking Engagements
What’s New and What’s Changing: The Latest on the Regulatory and ODD Landscapes
Speaker, Jefferies Operational Due Diligence Forum, December 2023
Emerging Manager Showcase
Host and Judge, EMex Americas: The Emerging Manager Exchange, October 2023
Inside the US: Tax and Fund Structuring
Speaker, EMex Americas: The Emerging Manager Exchange, October 2023
Some Key Compliance Matters in Light of Recent Regulatory Changes Before SEC Registration
Moderator, EMex Americas: The Emerging Manager Exchange, October 2023
Compensation of Key Employees
Speaker, Private COO/CFO Conference, June 2023
Emerging Manager Showcase
Host and Judge, EMex Americas: The Emerging Manager Exchange, September 2022
Tax and Fund Structuring: Strategies for Operational Efficiency
Speaker, EMex Americas: The Emerging Manager Exchange, September 2022
Fund Structuring
Speaker, Emerging Manager Forum USA, May 2021
Emerging Manager Showcase
Host and Judge, Emerging Manager Forum USA, May 2021
Fund Structuring & Setup
Speaker, Emerging Manager Forum USA, October 2020
Building Consensus: Engaging Partners Around Change
Speaker, The 27th Annual Marketing Partner Forum, Thomson Reuters, January 2020
Compensation Issues and Considerations with respect to Operating and Partnership Agreements
Speaker, Private COO/CFO Conference, June 2019
Divergent Designs: The New Responsibilities of the Relationship Partner – Part II
Speaker, The 26th Annual Thomson Reuters Marketing Partner Forum, January 2019
Emerging Manager Panel
Speaker, JonesTrading 2018 Service Provider Summit, November 2018
Essentials for Funds to Launch and Grow in Today’s Environment
Speaker, KPMG, October 2018
Structuring, Tax & Regulation
Speaker, Emerging Manager Forum New York 2018, April 2018
Aligning the Stars: Collaborative Management Strategies in Lawyer Compensation
Speaker, The 25th Annual Marketing Partner Forum, Thomson Reuters, January 2018
The Dangers of Insider Trading – A Cautionary Tale and the legal and compliance perspectives
Moderator, Presented by Kleinberg Kaplan and Duff & Phelps, January 2018
Investment Funds: Hot Topics
Speaker, AIMA Fund Manager Training Session, October 2017
Issues to Consider when Negotiating Vendor Contracts
Speaker, Private COO/CFO Seminar, September 2017
Legal & Regulatory Update
Speaker, Credit Suisse Prime Services Leadership Conference, March 2017
The Road Not Taken: Assessing Competitive Threats to Firm Differentiation
Speaker, The 24th Annual Marketing Partner Forum, Thomson Reuters, January 2017
The Art of the Seed Deal, presented by Kleinberg Kaplan and EisnerAmper
Speaker, January 2017
Legal & Compliance – Setting Up For Success
Speaker, Bloomberg Hedge Fund Startup Conference, October 2016
Follow The Right Path When Growing Your Fund
Speaker, Cantor Fitzgerald and EisnerAmper, June 2016
Employment Related Disputes, Private COO/CFO Conference
Moderator, June 2016
Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?: Investing in Junior Partners for Business Development, The 23rd Annual Marketing Partner Forum: Transforming Value into Profitability
Speaker, Thomson Reuters, January 2016
Legal – Getting It Right From The Start, Bloomberg Hedge Fund Startup Conference
Speaker, September 2015
Employee Compensation & Restrictive Covenants: The Structures & Pitfalls to Consider, GAIM Ops Cayman
Speaker, April 2015
Starting a Hedge Fund, presented by SS&C
Speaker, February 2015
Stormy Weather: The Law Firm Rainmaker Redefined
Speaker, Thomson Reuters, January 2015
Year End Update
Moderator, Presented by Rothstein Kass & Kleinberg Kaplan, November 2013
Starting or Growing a Hedge Fund
Speaker, Presented by EisnerAmper, November 2013
Taxageddon 2013, presented by Merrill Lynch and Kleinberg Kaplan
Moderator, October 2012
Operational risk and employment issues for hedge funds – Roundtable
Speaker, Presented by Kinetic Partners, March 2010
Hedge Fund Compensation Practices Conference
Speaker, Presented by UBS, June 2009
Publications
High-Class Problems: Issues Successful Start-Up Managers Face – Part I
Wells Fargo Prime Service’s Industry and Regulatory Updates, March 2020
EisnerAmper Asset Management Intelligence, Q1 2017
Insights
SEC Charges Firms for Violating Whistleblower Protection Rules in Employment Agreements, Separation Agreements and Releases
October 13, 2023Client AlertsKleinberg Kaplan’s Private Funds & Investment Management and M&A Groups Recognized in 33rd Edition of IFLR1000
July 13, 2023Firm NewsThe 33rd edition of IFLR1000 named Kleinberg Kaplan among the leading U.S. law firms providing exceptional service across 170 national jurisdictions for Hedge Funds and M&A. Ranked as a Tier 3 law firm for Investment Funds: Hedge Funds in the United States and as an Other Notable Law Firm for its M&A practice, Kleinberg Kaplan is one…
Kleinberg Kaplan Recognized in Latest Edition of The Legal 500: United States
June 14, 2023Firm NewsPremier boutique law firm Kleinberg Kaplan was recognized in the latest edition of The Legal 500: United States for its Hedge Funds and Investor Activism practices. The Hedge Funds practice was praised for its “thorough and practical advice, efficiency in getting projects done, and competitive rates.” As one client stated, “KKWC has been demonstrating an outstanding ability to…