Matthew Smith

Matt is a trusted partner to some of the most well-known venture capital, private equity and alternative asset firms in the world in connection with their fundraising, management company, regulatory, and strategic matters. He also advises many promising emerging managers on their journeys to build next-generation investment firms. He spends most of his time partnering with investment firms that are raising new funds – advising on market trends and fundraising strategies, designing optimized fund legal documents, collaborating with prospective investors to resolve their comments and questions, and ensuring that the fundraise process is run efficiently by leveraging technology and automation.

Matt has been recognized for leading some of the most successful and market-defining venture capital and digital asset fund formations over the past few years – and he has been at the forefront of developing and implementing new and innovative fundraising structures unique to those asset classes. He has represented investment firms on the formation and fundraising of more than $100 billion.

Matt was named as a Rising Star in business and corporate law by Massachusetts Super Lawyers from 2016 to 2023, and he was highlighted on Best Lawyers’ Ones to Watch list from 2021 to 2023.

Before joining Cooley, Matt was a partner in the investment funds group at another U.S. based international law firm, where he was a leader of its venture capital funds practice.