11 Feb 2026
Winston & Strawn Strengthens Private Investment Funds Practice with Partner Patrick Valenti in Chicago
"Winston & Strawn welcomes partner Patrick Valenti to its Chicago office to join the Private Investment Funds practice, advising middle‑market private equity sponsors on fund formation, fundraising and GP‑side matters."
Valenti advises private equity sponsors on the formation, fundraising and operation of private investment funds, with a focus on sponsors raising middle‑market private equity funds from $250 million to $3 billion. He counsels fund sponsors on operational, management and transactional matters in all facets of their business, including fund‑related aspects of private equity transactions, co‑investments, and secondary transactions, including continuation funds and other GP‑led liquidity solutions.
He also advises on regulatory and compliance matters, investor relations, upper‑tier arrangements, succession planning and asset management transactions, including GP stakes transactions. In addition, Valenti has significant experience advising emerging managers, first‑time fund sponsors and independent sponsors in building their firms from inception.
His arrival follows the appointment of Transactions partner David Love in Chicago earlier this month and a wave of additions across the department in 2025, further strengthening Winston & Strawn’s Midwest private equity presence.