
Elizabeth Lenas
Elizabeth (Liza) Lenas is the Leader of Cleary Gottlieb’s Global Private Funds Group, where she advises many of the world’s most sophisticated alternative asset managers on complex fund formation and investment strategies. Her practice spans the full lifecycle of private funds, with deep experience in fund formation, co-investments, consortium transactions, large-scale acquisitions, spin-offs, joint ventures, shareholding arrangements, managed accounts, and other strategic transactions. Liza represents sponsors across asset classes—including private equity, credit, venture, impact, and growth—and has been at the forefront of developing some of the industry’s most innovative investment vehicles, including one of the largest evergreen funds ever raised. She also counsels limited partners on their fund commitments and investments and has significant experience navigating clients through high-stakes disputes and sensitive investment-related controversies. Liza’s clients include leading firms such as Sixth Street, KKR, Sequoia Capital, Hillhouse, TPG, and Cascade Asset Management Company. A recognized leader in the private funds space, Liza serves on the Organizing Committee of the IBA’s Annual International Conference on Private Investment Funds and is a frequent speaker at major industry events, including those hosted by the Practising Law Institute, the Bar Association of the City of New York, the Maples Investment Funds Forum, and the Institutional Investor Legal Forum. In addition to her client work, Liza is deeply committed to public service and serves as New York Co-Chair of Cleary Gottlieb’s U.S. Pro Bono Committee. · Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
About
Elizabeth (Liza) Lenas is the Leader of Cleary Gottlieb’s Global Private Funds Group, advising leading alternative asset managers on complex fund formation, co-investments, consortium transactions, acquisitions, spin-offs, joint ventures, shareholding arrangements, managed accounts, and other strategic transactions. She represents sponsors across private equity, credit, venture, impact, and growth asset classes, and counsels limited partners on fund commitments and investments. Liza also has experience navigating high-stakes disputes and investment-related controversies. Her client roster includes Sixth Street, KKR, Sequoia Capital, Hillhouse, TPG, and Cascade Asset Management Company. She serves on the Organizing Committee of the IBA's Annual International Conference on Private Investment Funds and is a frequent speaker at industry events. Liza is also New York Co-Chair of Cleary Gottlieb’s U.S. Pro Bono Committee.
Practice areas
Office
Expertise
Education
- J.D., Columbia Law School (James Kent Scholar)
- B.A., New York University (University Scholar)
Admissions
- New York Bar