William Blair announced the expansion of the firm’s Private Capital Advisory investment banking practice into the primary fund placement market with the addition of three senior hires. Jeff Hypes joins as managing director in Chicago, and Nick Ohler and Andrew Viehe join as directors in New York.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Jeff, Nick, and Andrew to William Blair and to the Private Capital Advisory team,” said Mike Custar, head of Private Capital Advisory at William Blair. “Their addition enhances the capital formation solutions we can provide financial sponsors, and further augments our firm’s holistic approach to advising our clients.”

Hypes draws on nearly 15 years of experience delivering guidance and strategic solutions to clients throughout the fundraising process. He joins from the Credit Suisse Private Fund Group, where he served as director and had dedicated limited partner coverage throughout the Midwestern U.S. and Canada. Hypes also held similar roles at Atlantic-Pacific Capital and Lazard. He earned his B.A. in economics from Denison University.

Ohler brings 11 years of experience in private funds advisory, including dedicated limited partner investor coverage across the Northeastern U.S. He joins from the Houlihan Lokey Private Fund Group, where he was a senior vice president, and has held roles with Atlantic-Pacific Capital and Stanwich Advisors. Ohler earned his B.A. in Spanish and economics from Bucknell University. Viehe has 10 years of experience, including comprehensive fund formation, advisory, and project management services for private market clients. He was most recently a senior project manager in the Credit Suisse Private Fund Group, and his career includes positions at Riverstone Holdings and Stanwich Advisors. Viehe graduated with a B.A. in economics from St. Lawrence University.

“It is my pleasure to join William Blair’s Private Capital Advisory group, a collaborative team that is committed to delivering exceptional capital solutions,” Hypes said. “Nick, Andrew, and I look forward to integrating our fund placement experience and sponsor relationships into the firm’s expanding private capital advisory capability.”

William Blair announced its Private Capital Advisory practice in May 2022 with the hiring of Custar and director Quinn Kolberg, and has added directors Gage Alpert, Tom Marking, and Jake Stuiver, as well as several other investment banking professionals.