Abrar Hussain advises C-suite stakeholders and investment and portfolio management teams on strategic decision-making and compliance with regulatory, fiduciary, and governance standards. His practice spans fund formation, operations, and fundraising, as well as limited partner negotiations, portfolio company support, complex mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, licensing, and cross-border transactions.
Abrar draws on more than 25 years of experience as a general counsel and senior investment executive across investment funds, biotechnology, and financial services. His practice is informed by a strong understanding of enterprise-wide risk management and matters involving legal, human resources, compliance, and operational functions.
Led legal, compliance, and operational strategy for a hybrid (public and private) biotechnology investment firm supporting scientific discovery and innovation. Oversaw enterprise risk management, legal governance, and compliance with rules enforced by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and foreign regulators, as well as Registered Investment Advisers (RIA) obligations.
Handled all aspects of public and private transactions, including equity and debt financings, private investment in public equity arrangements, crossover rounds, initial public offering participation, licensing arrangements, and portfolio exits
Oversaw SEC and RIA compliance for multi-fund structures, managed audits, filings, marketing reviews, risk assessments, and trade-surveillance processes
Advised portfolio managers on deal structuring, valuation considerations, conflicts, co-investments, and fiduciary duties
Structured collaborations with universities, research and development labs, and foundations involving intellectual property development and data sharing
Led enterprise risk management and legal governance across funds, operating entities, and portfolio interactions
Worked with the Chief Financial Officer and operations team on fund operations, Limited Partners reporting, waterfall mechanics, and capital call processes
Managed litigation issues related to commercial disputes, bankruptcy, non-recourse agreements, and settlements while ensuring compliance and managing risk
Co-founded and built the legal and compliance infrastructure for a cross-border growth-stage investment fund.
Led fund formation, fundraising processes, regulatory filings, and global entity structuring
Managed end-to-end legal aspects of investments across healthcare, waste management, technology, and manufacturing sectors in multiple jurisdictions
Designed enterprise-wide governance and compliance frameworks
Negotiated complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and financing transactions in coordination with governments and development agencies
Built legal, compliance, and operational processes and managed internal and external legal teams
Advised leading clients across the venture capital, hedge fund, healthcare investment, and investment banking sectors.
Represented clients across the venture capital, alternative investment, private equity, restructuring, and special situations sectors, as well as other US and international entities.
Counseled various companies on corporate issues, including commercial transactions, intellectual property licensing, private offerings, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions.
Led numerous mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, and joint venture transactions.
Founded a boutique law firm that was later acquired by a global law firm.
Handled all legal issues at a technology startup.
Seminars
Speaker, “Unifying Privacy, Security, and Governance for Sustainable AI Progress”, The AI Governance & Strategy Summit, Palo Alto, CA, October 7, 2025
Speaker, OPEN Silicon Valley Forum 2025: The Next Decade – Building What Matters, Life Sciences and Finance Groups
Prior Experience
Prior to joining DLA Piper, Abrar served as General Counsel and Chief Operations Officer for a hybrid biotechnology investment firm, overseeing enterprise risk management, legal governance, and compliance.
Additional information
Adjunct Faculty, Vanderbilt University Law School, 2013 – 2020
- Venture Capital and Private Equity Investment Funds
Adjunct Faculty, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, 2010 – 2012
- Ethical Finance and Entrepreneurship
