Practices
Debbie is a partner in the Investment Management group who focuses on providing practical and results-oriented legal and regulatory advice. She works with sponsors and managers of various private investment funds and other pooled investment vehicles, including hedge funds, private equity funds, funds of funds, commodity pools, co-investment vehicles and various “hybrid” funds. In particular, Debbie focuses on fund formation and structuring, the offering of interests by private investment funds, and the negotiation and documentation of such investments. Debbie has experience in organizing both domestic and offshore partnerships and other investment vehicles, including separately managed accounts established for institutional investors. She has significant experience advising clients regarding regulatory and compliance matters, including the availability of exemptions from registration for both U.S. and non-U.S. investment advisers, the development of compliance policies and procedures, the completion of regulatory filings, and assistance with regulatory examinations. Debbie also represents investment advisers in connection with seed-capital investments and side letters and represents funds of funds and other institutional investors in connection with their investments in private funds. She has also assisted clients with the completion of non-U.S. regulatory filings, including those required in connection with AIFMD.
Debbie was instrumental in the formation of the Firm’s ESG practice, spearheading a task force dedicated to staying at the forefront of the ESG issues affecting investment managers. Debbie also completed a Sustainable Capitalism & ESG course through UC Berkeley School of Law in Spring 2021.
Debbie was recognized as a key lawyer in The Legal 500 2023 “Investment Fund Formation and Management, Private Equity Funds (including Venture Capital)” category for Seward & Kissel – “Debra Franzese has rapidly become a go-to figure in the market for a host of the firm’s high-profile funds.” Debbie was also recognized by IFLR 1000 as Highly Regarded in the practice areas of Hedge Funds and Private Equity Funds.
Debbie received a B.A. from Stockton University, summa cum laude, and her J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law, magna cum laude.
Publications
- Co-authored, “SEC Adopts Amendments to Regulation 13D-G,” Seward & Kissel (October 18, 2023)
- Co-authored, “Seward & Kissel Releases 2022/2023 Hedge Fund Side Letter Study,” Seward & Kissel (October 17, 2023)
- Co-authored, “SEC Proposes Improvements to EDGAR Filer Access and Account Management,” Seward & Kissel (October 3, 2023)
- Co-authored, “SEC Sweep into Marketing Rule Violations Results in Charges Against Nine Investment Advisers,” Seward & Kissel (October 3, 2023)
- Co-authored, “Seward & Kissel Releases Second Edition of SPV Snapshot Report,” Seward & Kissel (September 20, 2023)
- Co-authored, “Compliance Dates for Final Rules Regarding the Regulation of Private Fund Advisers,” Seward & Kissel (September 18, 2023)
- Co-authored, “SEC Charges FinTech Investment Adviser with First Violation of the Marketing Rule and Additional Compliance Violations,” Seward & Kissel (September 11, 2023)
- Co-authored, “Seward & Kissel Releases Third Edition of SMA Snapshot Report,” Seward & Kissel (September 6, 2023)
- Co-authored, “The SEC Adopts Final Rules Regarding the Regulation of Private Fund Advisers,” Seward & Kissel (August 25, 2023)
- Co-authored, “SEC Enforcement of Off-Channel Communications Continues – New Series of Firms Charged with Penalties Totaling $289 Million,” Seward & Kissel (August 16, 2023)
- Co-authored, “The Modern De-SPAC and a Way Forward,” Seward & Kissel (July 27, 2023)
- Co-authored, “Expiration of SEC Staff’s No Action Letters Providing Relief to Broker-Dealers Providing MiFID II Requirements Research,” Seward & Kissel (July 17, 2023)
- Co-authored, “Seward & Kissel’s Established Manager Hedge Fund Study,” Seward & Kissel (June 20, 2023)
- Co-authored, “2022 Seed Transactions Deal Points Study,” Seward & Kissel (June 7, 2023)
- Co-authored, “Seward & Kissel’s 2022 New Manager Hedge Fund Study,” Seward & Kissel (May 17, 2023)
- Co-authored, “Building a Scalable Hedge Fund Business,” Seward & Kissel (April 19, 2023)
- Co-authored, “Off-Channel Communications: Action Items for Advisers,” Seward & Kissel (March 16, 2023)
- Co-authored, “SEC Division of Examinations Announces 2023 Priorities,” Seward & Kissel (February 22, 2023)
- Co-authored, “U.S. Legal and Compliance Issues Relating to ESG for Private Fund Advisers,” International Comparative Legal Guide – Environmental, Social & Governance Law 2023 (January 27, 2022)
- Co-authored, “New HSR Filing Thresholds and Fee Schedule,” Seward & Kissel (January 26, 2023)
- Co-authored, “Seward & Kissel’s Investment Management 2022 Year in Review,” Seward & Kissel (January 13, 2023)
- Co-authored, “SEC Updates FAQ Regarding Marketing Rule Compliance – Displays of Gross and Net Performance,” Seward & Kissel (January 12, 2023)
- Co-authored, “Memo to Clients 2023 – Annual Reminders,” Seward & Kissel (January 4, 2023)
- Co-authored, “Merger of TIC Form S into Revised TIC Form SLT,” Seward & Kissel (December 12, 2022)
- Co-authored, “SEC Proposes New Oversight Requirements for Certain Services Outsourced by Investment Advisers,” Seward & Kissel (November 30, 2022)
- Co-authored, “Seward & Kissel Releases 2021/2022 Hedge Fund Side Letter Study,” Seward & Kissel (October 25, 2022)
- Co-authored, “New York City Implements Pass-Through Entity Tax for 2022,” Seward & Kissel (October 19, 2022)
- Co-authored, “Introducing the SPV Snapshot Report,” Seward & Kissel (October 12, 2022)
- Co-authored, “New Marketing Rule: One Month Away from the Compliance Date,” Seward & Kissel (October 4, 2022)