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Asset Management
Strategic Legal Guidance for a Regulated Investment Landscape
In today’s global financial markets, asset management is as much about navigating regulation as it is about delivering performance. Investment advisers, fund managers, and institutional investors face an evolving environment shaped by regulatory reform, fiduciary scrutiny, and increasing demand for transparency.
At SJKP LLP, our Asset Management Practice provides strategic legal counsel to help clients manage these complexities with precision and foresight. We advise investment firms, private funds, pension trustees, and financial institutions on every aspect of asset management—from structuring investment vehicles and ensuring regulatory compliance to resolving disputes and defending enforcement actions.
Our attorneys understand that effective asset management is built on trust, governance, and compliance. We help clients transform regulatory obligations into operational strength and competitive advantage.
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1. The Legal Framework of Asset Management
Aligning Fiduciary Duties with Business Strategy
The asset management industry operates at the intersection of securities law, corporate governance, and investor protection. Understanding this framework is critical to managing legal risk.
Regulatory Oversight and Key Statutes
U.S. asset managers are primarily governed by:
- - The Investment Advisers Act of 1940
- The Investment Company Act of 1940
- The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
- The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act
- SEC and CFTC regulations for derivatives and trading activities
SJKP LLP helps clients interpret these statutes, implement compliance programs, and maintain robust internal controls that satisfy regulator expectations.
Fiduciary Duty and Investor Protection
Registered investment advisers owe fiduciary duties of loyalty and care to their clients.
We advise on conflict management, fee disclosures, best execution policies, and fair valuation practices to align operations with fiduciary principles.
Global Regulatory Harmonization
For cross-border managers, compliance extends beyond U.S. borders.
Our attorneys assist clients in coordinating regulatory filings under MiFID II (EU), AIFMD, and UK FCA rules, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions and minimizing compliance duplication.
2. Fund Structuring and Investment Vehicle Formation
Designing Efficient and Compliant Investment Platforms
Proper structuring is essential to balancing tax efficiency, investor protection, and regulatory compliance.
Private Fund Formation
We assist in forming private equity, hedge, venture capital, and real estate funds.
Our services include:
- - Drafting fund documents (PPMs, LPAs, subscription agreements)
- Advising on exemptions under Regulation D, Section 3(c)(1), and 3(c)(7)
- Structuring general partner and management company arrangements
- Coordinating with tax advisors to optimize fund efficiency
Registered Investment Vehicles
For registered funds, we guide clients through SEC registration under the Investment Company Act, including mutual funds, ETFs, and closed-end funds.
We help develop compliance manuals, custodian agreements, and distribution contracts that meet regulatory standards.
Offshore and Hybrid Structures
Global investors often require hybrid structures that accommodate multiple tax and regulatory regimes.
SJKP LLP designs fund platforms across jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, and Singapore, aligning local compliance with U.S. investor requirements.
3. Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
Building Resilient Compliance Programs for Evolving Regulation
The regulatory environment for asset managers is increasingly complex. We help clients stay ahead through proactive compliance design.
SEC and FINRA Examinations
We prepare clients for regulatory examinations, review internal policies, and respond to SEC deficiency letters.
Our attorneys represent firms in OCIE examinations, FINRA inquiries, and CFTC reviews, mitigating potential enforcement exposure.
Compliance Policies and Procedures
SJKP LLP designs and updates compliance manuals covering:
- - Code of Ethics and personal trading policies
- Insider trading prevention
- Portfolio management and valuation procedures
- Advertising, marketing, and Form ADV disclosures
We integrate technology-driven compliance monitoring to enhance efficiency and reduce risk.
Cybersecurity and Data Governance
Asset managers face heightened cybersecurity expectations from the SEC and investors.
Our attorneys help develop cybersecurity programs that align with the SEC’s Regulation S-P and NYDFS cybersecurity rules, ensuring robust data protection and incident response.
4. Enforcement, Litigation, and Dispute Resolution
Defending Asset Managers Against Regulatory and Civil Challenges
Enforcement actions and private litigation are inevitable risks in asset management.
SJKP LLP provides skilled defense and pragmatic resolution strategies tailored to business continuity.
SEC and DOJ Investigations<
We represent asset managers and executives in investigations involving insider trading, disclosure violations, mispricing, and performance reporting.
Our attorneys engage with regulators early to limit scope, negotiate settlements, or pursue dismissal when appropriate.
Investor Disputes and Arbitration
Investor claims—whether from institutional investors or retail clients—require careful navigation.
We defend firms in FINRA arbitrations, class actions, and breach of fiduciary duty cases, emphasizing reputational protection and commercial resolution.
Internal Investigations and Remediation
When compliance failures occur, we conduct confidential internal reviews to identify weaknesses, implement corrective measures, and demonstrate proactive good faith to regulators.
5. Corporate Governance and ESG Integration
Aligning Fiduciary Oversight with Sustainable Investment Practices
Asset managers are increasingly held accountable for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.
We help clients integrate ESG principles into governance frameworks while balancing fiduciary obligations and investor expectations.
ESG Disclosure and Reporting
We advise on SEC climate and ESG disclosure requirements, ensuring transparency without greenwashing risks.
Our attorneys prepare ESG policies and investor communications that align with evolving global standards.
Board Oversight and Risk Committees
Effective governance protects both managers and investors.
We counsel boards and trustees on oversight duties, committee structures, and documentation of risk-based decision-making.
Ethical and Reputational Risk Management
ESG litigation and reputational crises can impact asset value.
SJKP LLP assists firms in developing ethical risk frameworks that preserve both financial and social integrity.
6. Why Choose SJKP LLP for Asset Management Legal Counsel
Experience. Strategy. Regulatory Precision.
At SJKP LLP, we recognize that asset management is not only about generating returns—it’s about managing complexity in a world of evolving regulation and investor scrutiny.
Our Asset Management Practice delivers forward-looking counsel that integrates law, finance, and strategy.
We have advised asset managers, funds, and financial institutions across every asset class and jurisdiction.
Our lawyers combine industry insight with regulatory experience, helping clients anticipate risk, strengthen compliance, and seize opportunity.
From fund formation and compliance programs to enforcement defense and ESG integration, SJKP LLP provides the legal clarity needed to navigate the modern investment landscape.
We don’t just guide asset managers—we help them lead with integrity, transparency, and resilience.
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading or relying on the contents of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship with our firm. For advice regarding your specific situation, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
Certain informational content on this website may utilize technology-assisted drafting tools and is subject to attorney review.
