Michaela Walker > Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP‘s ‘friendly, available and honest’ retail funds team acts for investment managers seeking to establish new funds, with particular strength in ESG-focused funds covering asset classes including debt, infrastructure and real estate. The practice group also assists clients with applications to the FCA, including for new Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF) structures and consumer duty matters, in addition to providing advice on SFDR. Practice head Michaela Walker acts for both fund managers and depositary banks on fund structuring and oversight and cash monitoring, while also driving the team’s ESG work. Julian Brown advises on the formation of collective investment schemes and fund reorganisations, while Phil Spyropoulos focuses on regulatory issues, including ESG matters. Martin Sandler joined the team from Ernst & Young LLP in October 2022, advising on fund transactions, restructurings and associated regulatory issues.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is known for ‘excellent relationship management and expertise across all finance areas in multiple jurisdictions‘, and clients praise its ‘strong technical and market knowledge‘. Focused on advising buy-side clients, the firm frequently acts for investment funds and their managers, insurance companies, corporates and pension schemes. Head of financial services Michaela Walker oversees the work of the derivatives group, in which Jonathan Master and Richard Batchelor are the standout practitioners. Batchelor recently provided JB Drax Honoré with regulatory advice on its global derivatives activities, covering the implementation of UK EMIR, reverse solicitation issues, and compliance with DFSA regulation. Clients also praise Jamie Dunlop for his availability and responsiveness.