Sophisticated Counsel,
Modern Approach

Laura Schnaidt is one of the rare attorneys who has sat on every side of the table — Big Law, in-house at leading fund managers, and now as a trusted outside advisor. That breadth of experience means she doesn’t just know the law; she understands how funds actually operate.

Previously a senior attorney at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in the corporate department and investment management group, and before that at Shearman & Sterling (now A&O Shearman), Laura advised the world’s top private fund clients on fund formation, operating, and regulatory issues.

She then brought that expertise in-house, serving three times as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at blue-chip fund managers. That combination of Paul Weiss rigor and in-house pragmatism allows Laura to deliver counsel that is both exacting and operationally grounded — exactly what fund managers need during launches, transitions, and periods of growth.

Joel Cohen is a seasoned corporate attorney whose practice spans the full lifecycle of business — from formation and fundraising through growth, transactions, and exit. A graduate of Duke Law School, Joel spent years as a corporate and M&A associate at Skadden in New York, developing client services skills and experience with corporate governance, deal structure, and complex commercial transactions.

He then built his own practice advising founders, growth companies, creatives, and private funds — who need rigorous counsel but prefer a smaller cost stack. Joel is also the founder of TalksOnLaw, a legal education and media platform used by leading banks, companies, and consultancies nationally.

Joel is passionate about the use of AI in the legal profession. He guest lectures on the subject at Columbia Law School and hosts the industry podcasts AI Lawyer and New Law Order, sponsored by Yale Law School. He puts that fluency to work delivering more effective, responsive, and forward-looking counsel for clients navigating an increasingly technology-driven business landscape.