Abdul’s practice focuses on advising sponsors on the structuring, formation and operation of private investment funds and other alternative investment products and related strategic transactions, such as co-investment vehicles, secondaries transactions, joint ventures, funds of one, investment vehicles for independent sponsors, and sponsor economic and governance arrangements. Abdul’s practice covers a range of industries and strategies, including buyout, growth equity, private credit, venture capital, real estate, energy and infrastructure.
In addition to his sponsor-side practice, Abdul advises funds of funds, endowments, insurance companies and other institutional investors on primary fund investments, co-investments and secondaries matters.
As part of his practice, Abdul provides strategic counsel in the impact investing arena, drawing from his experience in forming and operationalizing several impact-focused investment funds globally. Abdul also co-chairs McGuireWoods New York’s pro bono initiatives.
Prior to joining the firm, Abdul spent over a decade in dual fund formation and investment roles across several investment management platforms, including DWS Group (formerly Deutsche Asset Management) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund. He began his career in private practice at an international law firm and brings this comprehensive perspective to serve the firm’s clients and partners.
Sponsor-Side Representation
- Represented sponsor in connection with all fund formation and co-investment activities since inception, focused on the manufacturing and industrials sectors.
- Represented sponsor in the formation of its inaugural growth equity fund focused on business-to-business software enterprises.
- Represented sponsor in the formation of its inaugural private equity fund focused on co-investments alongside independent sponsors and emerging managers across various industries.
- Represented sponsor in the formation of a multi-strategy credit platform focused on public and private credit solutions.
- Represented sponsor in the formation of a private real estate fund focused on hotel conversions to workforce housing.
- Represented sponsor in the formation of a venture capital fund focused on post Series-A investments in medical technology and healthcare analytics enterprises.
- Represented sponsor in the formation of its inaugural real estate private equity fund leveraging its previous track record as independent sponsor.
Investor-Side Representation
- Represented institutional investor in renewable energy co-investment and secondaries transactions across multiple jurisdictions.
- Represented institutional investor in the secondary portfolio sale of private investment fund interests, stock and other private securities to insurance conglomerate.
- Represented institutional investor in primary fund investment and co-investment transactions across buyout, venture and real estate strategies.
Events
- Moderator, "LP Engagement Beyond Capital: Building Enduring Relationships," 2025 Emerging Manager Conference, April 29-30, 2025
- Moderator, "How to Identify the Right Equity Partners and Ensure a Common Vision From Acquisition Closing to Exit”, Independent Sponsor Conference," 2024 Independent Sponsor Conference, October 15-16, 2024
- Moderator, "Opportunities for LP’s to Create Change with Fund Commitments," Emerging Manager Conference, Dallas, TX, April 16-17, 2024
- Moderator, "Finding Capital in a Challenging Market," 2023 Independent Sponsor Conference, October 4, 2023
- Moderator, "How to Develop and Implement an Emerging Manager Program," Emerging Manager Conference, Dallas, TX, May 17, 2023
- Speaker, "Tax Considerations Related to Mission or Program-Related Investments," 19th Annual Nonprofit Seminar, Charlotte, NC, September – October 2022
- Speaker, Independent Sponsors of New York Networking Lunch, New York, NY, September 6, 2022
- Presenter, "Financing the Sustainable Development Goals: Embracing a Paradigm Shift and New Financing Modalities," Canadian Association of International Development Professionals (CAIDP), October 7, 2019
- Presenter, "Private Fund Opportunities: Opportunity Zone Funds, Sustainability & Impact Investment," Investment Management Conference, October 30, 2018
Podcasts
- Co-host, "“Everyone Can Win” in the Independent Sponsor Market, With Chelsea Celistan," Accessing the Pipeline Podcast Series, November 11, 2025
- Co-host, "Why Demand, Not Policy, Powers Clean Energy Markets, With Will Demas," Accessing the Pipeline Podcast Series, June 12, 2025
- Co-host, "Catalyzing Growth and Diversity, With Demetrius Sidberry of New Catalyst Strategic Partners," Accessing the Pipeline Podcast Series, January 7, 2025
Insights
- Author, From Scrutiny to Success: Insights From McGuireWoods’ Emerging Manager Conference, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, June 4, 2025
- Author, BPE Deal Tracker: Minority and Woman-Led Firm Announces Investment in Middle Market Private Credit Firm, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, March 21, 2024
- Author, BPE Deal Tracker: Minority-Owned Alternatives Investment Firm Funds Sponsor-Backed Physician Services Platform, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, March 7, 2024
- Author, Black-Led Middle Market Private Equity Firm Announces Portfolio Company’s Strategic Acquisition, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, February 29, 2024
- Co-author, "The compelling argument for emerging managers," PE Hub, June 12, 2023
- Co-author, "Addressing the ‘Missing Middle’ Challenge in Least Developed Countries," Blended Finance in the Least Developed Countries 2020, December 2020
- Author, "The UN Capital Development Fund Offers Support for SMEs in the Poorest Countries," Portfolio Adviser Magazine, November 1, 2020
- Co-author, "A Paradigm for Financing SMEs in the ‘Last Mile’," Capital Finance International, Summer 2019