Macfarlanes LLP is home to a well-experienced retail funds practice that has a strong reputation in the London market for its robust offering. The group is adept at advising on LTAF and SDR projects, regulatory compliance, and liquidity management – among other areas – on behalf of impressive operators, asset managers, depositaries of investment funds. Spearheading the department is the ‘exceptionally knowledgeable’ Lora Froud, whose expertise spans restructurings and reorganisations, depositary and investment management agreements, alongside ESG compliance. On the structuring and operation front, Alexandra Cochrane is a key contact with an aptitude for establishing LTAFs, advising on mergers and schemes of arrangements, and rationalisations. Tiffany Cox specialises in ESG fund formations and related regulatory disclosures, while Sandeesh Shah focuses on platform and distribution agreements and compliance mandates. Other notable practitioners in the practice include ESG experts Angela Phelan and Emily Batchelor, and SDR authorities Harry Middleton and Katie Darwin.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘We receive sound and considered advice and benefit from the firm's close relations with the regulator. We find the advice to be sensible, practical and timely.’
‘We find, particularly with project work, that the firm takes the trouble to be familiar with our business and objectives, and supports us towards achieving our goals.’
‘A deep knowledge of the regulatory area combined with a knowledge of the broader policy context in which their clients are operating, which then informs the team's knowledge of the commercial opportunities that their clients face. Together, I find this makes the team very strong and able to provide high quality advice to their clients.’
‘Lora and Tiffany are both highly knowledgeable with deep technical expertise on retail funds regulation, excellent communicators, and generous with their time.’
‘Their advice has always been of the highest quality.’
‘Lora and the firm have a very strong reputation around the retail funds industry.’
Key clients
- Legal & General
- abrdn Fund Managers Limited
- Jupiter Unit Trust Managers Limited
- FIL Investment Services UK Limited
- J O Hambro Capital Management Limited
- Goldman Sachs Asset Management Fund Services Limited
- Arcmont Asset Management Limited
- Carne Global Fund Managers (UK) Limited
- Willis Towers Watson
- Thesis Unit Trust Management Limited
- Fulcrum Asset Management LLP
- Waystone Management (UK) Limited
Work highlights
Assisting Legal & General with various legal and regulatory matters in relation to its UK authorised fund range, including the launch of their first private markets LTAF.
Acting as sole UK counsel for Jupiter's UK authorised fund range, including assistance obtaining approval from the FCA for two sustainability labels in accordance with the FCA’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements.
Advising Fulcrum and Waystone on the launch of two LTAFs.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Alexandra Cochrane
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Tiffany Cox
Practice head
Lora Froud
Other key lawyers
Alexandra Cochrane; Tiffany Cox; Sandeesh Shah; Angela Phelan; Harry Middleton; Katie Darwin; Emily Batchelor