Investment Management

The Perkins Coie investment management group offers legal counsel to a broad array of clients in the investment management industry, including registered open-end funds, closed-end funds, business development companies, hedge funds, private equity funds and other private investment companies, funds offered by banks and insurance companies, family offices and their sponsors, investment advisers, independent directors and service providers. The team also represents the sponsors of products that compete with registered investment companies, such as wrap accounts and bank collective investment funds. Our investment management lawyers have extensive experience in all aspects of the law relating to asset management and include the former Associate Director of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, a former SEC Enforcement Branch Chief, and former general counsels of leading investment firms.

The group handles a wide range of issues arising under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and related rules and regulations. The practice focuses both on market participants and investors (including pension plans and other sophisticated investors).

Registered Investment Companies

The investment management group advises major fund complexes in connection with fund formation and registration, regulatory compliance, risk management, corporate governance, obtaining exemptive orders, no-action letters, and other relief from regulatory agencies, negotiating and structuring investments, fund mergers and acquisitions, and a wide array of other matters. 

Investment Advisers

Our attorneys represent investment advisers in connection with registration, compliance, and ongoing operations, and have provided counsel to both registered and private advisers in connection with fund formation. The group has experience in transactions involving the purchase and sale of an adviser and related negotiation of advisory contracts. Our attorneys have written and lectured on topics associated with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and are particularly well-positioned to assist clients in navigating the new registration and compliance requirements imposed on investment advisers.

Family Offices

The investment management group represents a number of single family offices and the Private Investors Coalition, a group whose members are single family offices, with respect to the implementation of Section 409 of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Private Funds

The group advises clients on the organization and operation of alternative investment funds such as private equity funds, offshore funds, hedge funds, and other unregistered investment products. We counsel in all areas of fund formation and structuring, investment advisory agreements and other service provider agreements, investment transactions and regulatory compliance matters. In addition, the group advises investors, including state pension funds, institutional investors (including ERISA investors), family offices, wealthy individuals and endowments in connection with their investments in hedge funds, private equity funds and other alternative investments.

Independent Directors

Members of the investment management group represent the independent directors of major fund complexes, and have written and lectured on duties of independent directors.

The group is supported by lawyers specializing in tax and ERISA and includes securities enforcement lawyers, with experience representing clients in federal, state or multi-jurisdictional investigations, and in actions by the FINRA, who are able to assist clients in regulatory and enforcement litigation and arbitration.

Our experience representing participants in all aspects of investment management allows us to provide our clients with advice that is based on a complete understanding of the investment management industry. We devote senior-level attention to our clients, thereby providing them with the greatest level of experience, knowledge and talent to facilitate and enhance their business operations and investments.