Key Takeaways
- • Troutman Pepper Locke has added Jennifer Gullotti East as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office, expanding its Private Equity and Investment Funds Practice Group, according to the firm's announcement.
- • East joins from Kirkland & Ellis, where she advised institutional fund sponsors on forming and operating private investment funds, including multibillion-dollar infrastructure and credit strategies.
- • Her practice covers co-investment vehicles, continuation funds, separately managed accounts, and fund sponsor governance and regulatory compliance across debt, energy, and healthcare strategies.
- • The hire follows the recent addition of Reed Balmer and signals continued investment in the firm's fund formation capabilities.
- • In The Deal's Q2 2026 Private Equity League Tables, the firm ranked No. 18 nationally, up 16 positions from Q1.
Summary
Troutman Pepper Locke has expanded its Private Equity and Investment Funds Practice Group with the addition of Jennifer Gullotti East as a partner in Washington, D.C. East joins from Kirkland & Ellis, where she advised on structuring, negotiating, forming and managing private investment funds, including multibillion-dollar infrastructure and credit strategies. Her work spans debt, energy and healthcare, and she counsels institutional fund sponsors and management companies on fund formation, corporate governance, organizational structures, internal operations and regulatory compliance.
East's practice includes co-investment vehicles, continuation funds, separately managed accounts and other private investment arrangements. The firm said the appointment strengthens its capabilities in private fund formation and investment management as institutional investors and alternative asset managers increasingly use sophisticated fund structures to deploy capital.
Her arrival follows the recent addition of Reed Balmer, an investment funds attorney, reflecting what the firm describes as sustained investment in its fund formation and private equity capabilities. Stephanie Pindyck Costantino, partner and leader of the Investment Funds and Investment Management Services team, said East's experience in energy and health care would benefit clients. Paul Mahoney, leader of the Private Equity and Investment Funds Practice Group, said the caliber of partners joining the firm reflects the strength of its platform.
The firm's group advises on middle-market transactions as well as strategic investments involving Fortune 100 corporations, and covers M&A, fund formation, growth equity, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and exit transactions. According to In The Deal's second-quarter 2026 Private Equity League Tables, the firm ranked No. 18 nationally among private equity law firms. PitchBook's second-quarter 2026 Global League Tables placed it No. 18 among the most active firms in U.S. private equity, No. 12 for representing U.S. companies and No. 11 for energy sector activity. The firm, which has more than 1,600 attorneys across over 30 offices, also ranked No. 10 in healthcare devices and supplies and No. 11 in healthcare services and systems in venture capital.
East's practice includes co-investment vehicles, continuation funds, separately managed accounts and other private investment arrangements. The firm said the appointment strengthens its capabilities in private fund formation and investment management as institutional investors and alternative asset managers increasingly use sophisticated fund structures to deploy capital.
Her arrival follows the recent addition of Reed Balmer, an investment funds attorney, reflecting what the firm describes as sustained investment in its fund formation and private equity capabilities. Stephanie Pindyck Costantino, partner and leader of the Investment Funds and Investment Management Services team, said East's experience in energy and health care would benefit clients. Paul Mahoney, leader of the Private Equity and Investment Funds Practice Group, said the caliber of partners joining the firm reflects the strength of its platform.
The firm's group advises on middle-market transactions as well as strategic investments involving Fortune 100 corporations, and covers M&A, fund formation, growth equity, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and exit transactions. According to In The Deal's second-quarter 2026 Private Equity League Tables, the firm ranked No. 18 nationally among private equity law firms. PitchBook's second-quarter 2026 Global League Tables placed it No. 18 among the most active firms in U.S. private equity, No. 12 for representing U.S. companies and No. 11 for energy sector activity. The firm, which has more than 1,600 attorneys across over 30 offices, also ranked No. 10 in healthcare devices and supplies and No. 11 in healthcare services and systems in venture capital.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.