Boston, MA. Reflecting the continued growth of Nixon Peabody’s Corporate practice, the firm is pleased to announce leadership additions for its Investment Funds and Tax teams.
John Beals takes the helm of Nixon Peabody’s Investment Funds team, which recently added veteran private investment products and fund formation attorney Richard Shamos to further build the team’s presence on the West Coast. Shahzad Malik will serve as co-leader of Nixon Peabody’s Tax team, joining current leader Sean Clancy to give the team leadership on both coasts.
“We are in the midst of a dynamic environment for both fund formation and tax issues, and our clients look to us to help navigate the landscape and capture new opportunities,” said Christopher Keefe, leader of Nixon Peabody’s Corporate practice. “Expanding our leadership in these key practice areas ensures that our teams are always ready to effectively tackle a client’s challenges.”
John is a partner in the firm’s Boston and Manchester offices. During his 25 years with the firm, John’s corporate practice has focused on advising public pension funds, funds of funds, and other institutional investors in connection with their investments in leveraged buyout, venture capital, real estate, and debt private-equity funds. John also counsels private equity fund sponsors in connection with their fundraising and has structured and organized numerous U.S.-based private equity funds and funds of funds.
“I’m extremely honored to lead the Investment Funds team,” said John. “The firm’s longstanding focus on private fund formation and limited partner representation make Nixon Peabody an outstanding platform for advising fund sponsors and institutional investors. I’m excited to lead this practice as we continue to partner with clients to guide them through the continually evolving regulatory landscape.”
Shahzad, a partner, based in Nixon Peabody’s Los Angeles office, has been instrumental in expanding the Tax team’s presence on the West Coast since joining the firm in 2017. Shahzad works regularly with domestic and international public and private companies, private equity and venture capital firms, hedge funds, and distressed debt funds. He also represents clients in complex civil and criminal tax controversy and tax litigation matters. Shahzad has brought tax cases before the United States Tax Court, federal district courts, and the United States Court of Claims and has represented many clients before the Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board.
“The combination of recent sweeping international tax reforms and COVID-19 pandemic-related government tax stimulus has made tax considerations more important than they have ever been to our clients’ businesses,” said Shahzad. “Our team on both coasts continues to be on the frontlines of advising our clients on evolving tax matters. It’s an honor to join Sean as co-leader and continue to help our clients move their businesses forward every day.”
