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Tamara Sonenshein was drawn to a career in law because of its unique blend of intellectual rigor, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence meaningful outcomes in high-stakes environments. She found those experiences both in her prior role as a corporate associate at Sidley Austin LLP, and in her current position as vice president and associate general counsel at Clearlake Capital Group, L.P.
Sonenshein established that rigor early on, earning a full scholarship to Chicago-Kent College of Law. During law school, she completed a prestigious judicial externship with the Honorable Rubén Castillo, Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and participated in a well-regarded summer associate program at Sidley, where Sonenshein discovered her passion for transactional work and realized just how far beyond the courtroom a legal career could go.
After graduating, Sonenshein joined Sidley as a corporate associate. She built a strong transactional foundation, focusing on high-caliber mergers and acquisitions that demanded precision, sound judgement, and the ability to manage complex workstreams.
“The skills I honed drafting and negotiating documents at Sidley taught me how to balance legal risk with practical outcomes,” the vice president recalls. “It is also where I strengthened my ability to communicate clearly and collaborate effectively under pressure.”
While at Sidley, Sonenshein was seconded to Clearlake, a global private equity firm based in Santa Monica, California. The secondment proved pivotal, as she shifted from advising external clients on deal-specific issues to counseling internal stakeholders on the broader operational, financial, and investor-facing implications of a transaction. That exposure gave Sonenshein the opportunity to work directly with teams across the firm, build trusted relationships, and integrate quickly.
During secondment, Sonenshein also developed a generalist’s mindset – someone able to pivot across subjects and deliver practical guidance on a wide range of matters. That adaptability would prove essential.
Sonenshein officially joined Clearlake in 2023. The transition from secondee to in-house counsel was seamless, and she hit the ground running, immersing herself in fundraising, fund formation, M&A, and firm-wide initiatives, while continuing to partner with her colleagues throughout the firm. Just one year later, Sonenshein was promoted to vice president and associate general counsel.
That rapid rise reflects her preparation and insight.
“Tamara has impressed me since we began working together with her innate resourcefulness and drive. She brings comprehensive preparation and deep understanding to her work and delivers results through insightfulness and foresight. I have always found working with Tamara to be a great pleasure,” says Matthew Goldstein, partner and co-head of North American Investment Funds at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
The AGC sees her most valuable contribution as understanding the firm’s strategic priorities and directing her efforts where they drive the greatest impact.
“It’s not about covering every legal angle,” she explains. “It’s about enabling clear decisions with the right level of risk.” That pragmatism helps move the business forward while mitigating risk where it matters.
As a leader, Sonenshein is curious, collaborative, and committed to continuous learning, especially from strong mentors. Her intellectual curiosity pushes her to elevate both her legal practice and her ability to add value beyond the legal function.
What keeps her engaged is the breadth and dynamism of the work. She also credits the firm’s culture—where teamwork, thoughtfulness, and accountability are the norm—for creating an environment where people can thrive.
While at Clearlake, Sonenshein has played a central role in fundraising for the firm’s eighth flagship fund—negotiating key documents and side letters, managing investor diligence, and coordinating with internal teams and external counsel through each closing.
She has also driven the legal fundraising process for multiple co-investment vehicles, from initial term sheets through final documentation and closing. In addition, Sonenshein provides legal support across the lifecycle of portfolio investments, such as Chelsea F.C., ModMed, and Concert Golf Partners, assisting with acquisition execution, as well as ongoing operational and governance matters.
Building on her cross-border experience, Sonenshein led the legal and compliance efforts associated with launching the firm’s offices in Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
“Clearlake is a place where people are valued for their judgment and contribution, which creates room for everyone—including women—to grow and take ownership of impactful work,” Sonenshein says. “Playing a part in this firm’s collective success is what I enjoy most. I take pride in being a good teammate and helping the firm succeed.”
