Registered Funds & Retail Alternatives

SJKP LLP assists clients in designing and registering investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, ETFs, and interval funds. We also help secure exemptive orders for innovative product structures, multi-manager platforms, and cross-subadvisory arrangements that push the boundaries of traditional fund design.

Our attorneys are skilled in structuring hybrid investment vehicles such as funds-of-funds, master-feeder structures, and derivative-based synthetic exposure products. We counsel clients on cross-border product offerings subject to both U.S. and non-U.S. regimes, including AIFMD and UCITS compliance.

We advise sponsors on forming and managing Business Development Companies (BDCs), guiding them through leverage limitations, valuation requirements, and periodic reporting obligations. Our experience spans both listed and non-traded BDCs, enabling clients to navigate SEC and exchange requirements effectively.

We assist in establishing governance protocols that address board composition, independent director responsibilities, and conflict-of-interest management. Our attorneys also advise on compliance with Rule 38a-1 and Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, ensuring effective oversight of compliance programs and personal trading policies.

SJKP LLP regularly drafts and negotiates distribution, sub-advisory, and selling agreements with broker-dealers, financial intermediaries, and platform sponsors. We provide guidance on FINRA Rule 2310 compliance, advertising reviews, and intermediary due diligence to ensure retail distribution practices remain compliant and efficient.

Our firm advises fund complexes and asset managers on M&A transactions, spin-offs, and fund reorganizations. Working closely with our Corporate, Tax, and Financial Regulatory teams, we manage the employment, governance, and compliance implications of adviser transitions and acquisitions involving registered investment vehicles.

We represent clients in regulatory examinations, inquiries, and enforcement proceedings involving the SEC, FINRA, and the Department of Labor. Our attorneys assist in responding to deficiency letters, negotiating settlements, and designing compliance remediation programs that withstand scrutiny.

When clients face an SEC examination or enforcement action, our team prepares thorough responses, conducts internal reviews, and coordinates communications with regulators. We also develop remediation frameworks that prevent recurrence and demonstrate proactive compliance management.

For clients with global fund offerings, we coordinate with foreign counsel to ensure compliance with international securities laws and cross-border disclosure requirements. Our lawyers provide guidance on multi-jurisdictional distribution strategies that meet the requirements of regulators in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

We represent sponsors, underwriters, and placement agents in IPOs, shelf registrations, rights offerings, and private placements under Regulation D and Rule 144A. Our attorneys ensure compliance with disclosure standards under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act, while optimizing offering speed and market positioning.

Our team counsels fund managers on liquidity risk management programs under Rule 22e-4 and valuation procedures under Rule 2a-5. We help implement governance frameworks and disclosure controls that strengthen investor confidence and withstand regulatory examination.

As investor demand for ESG and thematic strategies increases, SJKP LLP advises on sustainable finance disclosures, green fund certifications, and SEC marketing rule compliance. We ensure ESG claims are accurate, substantiated, and aligned with the SEC’s evolving “greenwashing” enforcement priorities.

We advise fintech and wealth management platforms on distributing registered funds via digital channels. Our attorneys assess advertising rules, data privacy obligations, and cybersecurity requirements applicable to fund platforms and robo-advisers.

SJKP LLP advises on the use of blockchain and tokenized fund interests, including compliance with SEC custody rules, transfer restrictions, and investor suitability standards. We help clients develop legally compliant frameworks for digital asset-enabled fund distribution.

Our team integrates expertise from fund formation, capital markets, tax, and regulatory enforcement practices to deliver holistic advice across the product lifecycle—from initial registration to ongoing compliance and governance.

With attorneys across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, SJKP LLP supports clients in managing cross-border fund structures and retail distribution networks. We leverage our experience with the SEC, FINRA, and global regulators to help clients anticipate issues before they arise and execute with confidence.