Overview

Marina Besignano is a partner in the Corporate & Securities practice in New York.

Marina represents investment fund managers, financial institutions and significant investors in connection with the establishment and operation of private investment funds across a wide range of asset classes, including private equity, credit, infrastructure, real estate, insurance and venture capital. She also counsels clients in relation to employee funds, funds-of-funds, managed accounts, funds-of-one, co-invest arrangements and bespoke investment vehicles.

Marina has multi-jurisdictional qualifications and extensive fund formation experience in New York and London. She regularly represents clients on both sides of the Atlantic and works closely with Mayer Brown’s team in London. Marina is also fluent in Russian and Ukrainian and has advised clients who are based in Eastern Europe or seeking to invest in Eastern European markets.

Since 2022, Marina serves as a pro bono Strategic Adviser to UkraineInvest. UkraineInvest is the Ukrainian government's investment promotion agency created to attract and support foreign investment in Ukraine as well as assist existing investors to expand their businesses in Ukraine.

In addition to UkraineInvest, Marina has assisted many private individuals and small businesses on a pro bono basis. She has volunteered for NYLAG, Start Small Think Big and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in the United States, as well as the Prince’s Trust, LawWorks, Inspire! and Legal Launch Pad in the United Kingdom.

Prior to joining Mayer Brown, Marina worked at several well-regarded fund formation practices in New York and London.

Spoken Languages

  • English
  • Russian
  • Ukrainian

Education

Fordham University School of Law, LLM, magna cum laude

BPP University Law School, GDL, Commendation

BPP University Law School, LPC, Distinction

Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, LLM, with honors

Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, LLB, with honors

Admissions

  • New York
  • England and Wales
  • Ukraine