William Blair, a global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management and private wealth management, expanded the firm’s private capital advisory investment banking practice into the primary fund placement market with the addition of three senior hires. Jeff Hypes joined as managing director in Chicago, and Nick Ohler and Andrew Viehe joined as directors in New York.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Jeff, Nick and Andrew to William Blair and to the private capital advisory team,” Mike Custar, head of private capital advisory at William Blair, said. “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.

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. 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.

“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.”