Winston & Strawn Expands Funds Practice with Addition of Partner Patrick Valenti in Chicago

Chicago – February 11, 2026 – Winston & Strawn LLP announced today that Patrick Valenti has joined the firm’s Chicago office as a partner in the Transactions Department and a member of the Private Investment Funds Practice.

Patrick advises private equity sponsors on the formation, fundraising, and operation of private investment funds, with a focus on sponsors raising middle-market private equity funds from $250 million to $3 billion. He also counsels fund sponsors on operational, management, and transactional matters in all facets of their business, including fund-related aspects of private equity transactions, co-investments, secondary transactions (including continuation funds and other GP-led liquidity solutions), regulatory and compliance matters, investor relations matters, upper-tier arrangements, succession planning, and asset management transactions (including GP stakes transactions). In addition, Patrick has significant experience advising emerging managers, first-time fund sponsors, and independent sponsors in building their firms from inception.

Patrick’s arrival builds on the appointment of fellow Transactions partner David Love in Chicago earlier this month, as well as a wave of high-profile additions across the department in 2025.

“Winston’s private equity platform is well positioned to support my practice advising middle-market sponsors across the full lifecycle of their funds,” said Patrick. “The firm’s depth on the LP-side, together with its deep middle-market private equity transactional practice, complements my GP-side practice and allows us to serve clients with a 360-degree perspective.”

“Patrick’s arrival further strengthens the strategic growth of our Chicago office and reinforces Winston’s presence in the Midwest private equity market,” added Chicago Office Managing Partner William O’Neil. “We’re excited to welcome him to the team.”

“Patrick brings strong technical capabilities and deep experience handling complex GP-side matters, and his work with continuation vehicles and GP-led liquidity solutions strengthens our ability to advise clients as these structures continue to gain traction,” said Transactions Department Co-Chairs Timothy Kincaid and Brad Vaiana.