Co-led by International partners Catherine Pogorzelski (Luxembourg) and James O'Donnell (UK) and US partners Jesse Criz (Chicago) and David Parrish (Austin, Texas), the global practice builds on the firm's already well-established investment fund and investment management capabilities, offering clients a global "one-stop-shop."
“This is not just about investment funds,” says Jesse. “It’s about investment management acting as a connector: a connector to our clients – and a connector of our people. The intention is to serve clients in a holistic way across the entire value chain of their structures, using our ability to support across all our groups and geographies.”
Driven by the fast-changing regulatory environment, digitalization, industry consolidation and sustainable finance agenda, DLA Piper provides a full suite of services across all aspects of the investment management and funds business. The initiative is about addressing the legal needs of asset managers, investment fund sponsors and investors across all industry sectors, geographies, asset classes and investment strategies covering:
– the full investment fund lifecycle – from strategic planning to implementation and liquidation;
– the entire investment fund value chain – from getting the investors on board to the deployment of the funds’ investment strategies; and
– all service areas: fund formation, regulatory and securities law, tax structuring and transactional tax, investors representation, finance and fund financing, transactional work across all asset classes, restructuring, ESG, privacy and trademarks, employment and litigation.
James clarifies, “Providing legal services in the asset management world is not new for law firms, but what sets DLA Piper apart is that we offer the full spectrum of investment management services everywhere around the world in a holistic way, proactively transforming challenges into opportunities thanks to the way we collaborate internally. Our clients are won over by this one-stop-shop offer as they see the value we bring in terms of geographical coverage, diversification of skills and knowhow, sharing of knowledge and extensive experience in the field.”
David adds, “We’re somehow a late adopter in formalising a dedicated Investment Management and Funds group. But we’re a pioneer in the way we’ve done it as we were in a position to reinvent the practice in line with the time we’re living in; a time of economic disruption where regulatory changes and innovation are everywhere.”
In Luxembourg, this new initiative fits perfectly with the ambition of the financial centre. For some years, the country has been diversifying its fund offering with a view to moving up the value chain. It aims not only to remain a place for the structuring, establishment, and global distribution of investment funds, but also to develop the transactional part of investment management.
“The launch of this initiative is an achievement for the firm,” says Catherine. “DLA Piper entered the Luxembourg market at the beginning of the implementation of the AIFM Directive and since then the office has gone from strength to strength, growing with the Luxembourg market. Today, bringing to life an approach that contributes to the development of the Luxembourg financial centre’s footprint is something we’re all really proud of.”
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