David A. Smolen
About David A. Smolen
David A. Smolen serves as the Managing Director, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer at GI Partners, where he combines legal expertise with investment management skills. He has over a decade of experience in his current role and a strong background in private equity and real estate investment strategies.
Work at GI Partners
David A. Smolen has served as Managing Director, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer at GI Partners since 2014. In this role, he combines legal expertise with investment management skills, contributing to the firm's strategic direction. He is based in San Francisco, California, and has played a key role in managing the legal and compliance aspects of the firm, which has successfully raised over $20 billion in capital. His strong background in private equity and real estate investment strategies supports GI Partners' growth in these sectors.
Education and Expertise
David A. Smolen holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Stanford Law School, where he studied from 1992 to 1996. He also earned a Master of Arts (A.M.) in Political Science from Stanford University between 1993 and 1996, and a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in International Relations from Stanford University from 1984 to 1988. Additionally, he obtained a Master of Science (M.S.) in Financial Analysis and Investment Management from Saint Mary's College of California. His educational background underpins his expertise in legal and compliance matters within the investment management industry.
Background
Before joining GI Partners, David A. Smolen worked at Silver Lake Partners as Senior Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer from 2011 to 2014. He also served as an Associate at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP from 1997 to 2000. His career began with a four-year commitment as a Volunteer for the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic from 1988 to 1992. Additionally, he co-founded Latinvalley, Inc., where he held the position of Chief Operating Officer from 2000 to 2004, demonstrating his leadership and operational capabilities.
Achievements
David A. Smolen has extensive experience in compliance and legal matters, having held the position of Chief Compliance Officer at multiple firms. His leadership has been instrumental in managing the legal and compliance aspects of firms involved in significant capital raising activities. His contributions have supported the growth and operational integrity of the organizations he has been part of, particularly in the realms of private equity and real estate investment strategies.