Lafayette Square Appoints David Kraut as Managing Director of Legal

New York, March 4, 2021 – Lafayette Square, an impact-driven, minority-owned investment platform, announced today the appointment of David Kraut as Managing Director, Legal. Mr. Kraut, who joins from Goldman Sachs, will oversee legal affairs and compliance for the firm’s credit strategy. Lafayette Square’s direct lending platform invests in independent small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs, with a focus on regional and localized job creation. 

Mr. Kraut has over two decades of legal experience within financial services and asset management. Previously, he served as Managing Director and Senior Counsel at Goldman Sachs, where he spent 13 years advising multiple asset management businesses on acquisitions and sales, investment fund structuring, GP stakes investing, impact investing, corporate governance, operational structures, regulatory matters, and other general corporate and commercial transactions. 

"We're excited to have David join Lafayette Square as we continue to build world-class legal standards across our firm’s operations and investments," said Damien Dwin, Founder & CEO of Lafayette Square. "His impressive background and experience will be instrumental in helping us achieve a regionally focused credit strategy, at scale, that not only provides capital to businesses that need it most, but also aligns local investors with local job creation." 

"I’m thrilled to join Damien and team as we look to develop purpose-built investment solutions that drive measurable change and create jobs within communities,” said Mr. Kraut. “It’s clear that Lafayette Square is growing with integrity and strong legal standards, and I look forward to being part of its future success.” 

Before joining Goldman, David practiced corporate law at Debevoise & Plimpton and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, and clerked for the Honorable Victor Marrero in the Southern District of New York. He currently serves as an Advisory Board Member of Hot Bread Kitchen Incubates. David earned a B.A., cum laude, in Ethics, Politics and Economics and International Studies from Yale University and a J.D. from New York University School of Law in 2000, where he served as senior notes editor and executive board member of the Law Review. 

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About Lafayette Square

Lafayette Square Holding Company, LLC (“Lafayette Square” or the “Firm”) is an impact-driven, minority-owned investment platform. Founded by Damien Dwin in 2020, the Firm confronts critical societal challenges with capital and services in three core areas: housing, jobs, and financial inclusion. For more information about Lafayette Square, please visit lafayettesquare.com

Media Contact:
Shree Dhond/Zach Kouwe
Dukas Linden Public Relations
646-722-6531
lafayettesquare@dlpr.com