Growing its team throughout 2025, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provides a comprehensive to clients in their registered open-end mutual fund, exchange-traded fund and closed fund matters. Noted for its ‘deep 1940 Act expertise’, the firm is adept at advising on regulatory concerns for asset and fund managers, including on SEC matters. Clients come to it for advice on regulated and hybrid products. Lior Ohayon leads the practice with Margery Neale, who advises on fund governance and regulatory compliance for investment companies and sponsors. Elliot Gluck is an expert advisor to registered investment companies, while the ’supremely client-focused’ Benjamin Haskin assists with exchange-traded funds and tokenized products. Jay Spinola focuses on advising funds with credit facilities, debt offerings and preferred stock. Michael DeNiro specializes in fund disclosure obligations, regulatory compliance and restructurings. Joining the firm from the SEC in April 2025, Jennifer Porter brings ‘valuable’ knowledge to team. Located in Washington DC, Benjamin Allensworth supports clients with ’40 Act matters, such as co-investment exemptive relief. The team is located in New York unless stated otherwise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Their strength is the deep 1940 Act expertise that exists at the firm. They have very experienced attorneys and can bring extra expertise when necessary.’
‘Margery Neale is a stand-out attorney. She knows when to bring in other expertise from the firm.’
‘This team is very thorough and detail-oriented and takes initiative in making sure clients are complying with regulatory requirements.’
'Strong bench of talent in the 40 Act and Advisor's Act space. Able to bring in experts from other parts of the firm as needed - tax, regulatory, litigation.'
'Benjamin Haskins has great depth of knowledge and great judgment on how to support the independent trustees on our Fund board.'
'Jennifer Porter just joined the firm and brings valuable SEC knowledge to the table.'
'Willkie Farr's asset management practice is exceptionally varied, with subject matter expertise in all areas of the practice. They provide a one-stop-shop and are exceptionally service oriented and focused.'
'Benjamin Haskin is supremely client focused and has a broad range of asset management experience and expertise.'
Key clients
- Flaherty & Crumrine Closed-End Funds
- Gabelli Closed-End Funds
- T. Rowe Price Funds
- Independent Trustees of the Macquarie Funds
- Independent Trustees of the Pacific Select Funds
- CAIS
- Wellington
Work highlights
Advised one of the world’s largest asset managers in connection with a novel transaction involving the conversion of a listed closed-end fund to an unlisted, continuously offered interval fund.
Advised a fund and its investment adviser in connection with the private placement of multiple series of preferred stock to institutional investors with gross proceeds to the fund of over $200m.
Assisting one of the world’s largest asset managers in the consolidation of 22 listed municipal closed-end funds into six municipal listed closed-end funds through separate reorganization or merger transactions.
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.
Practice head
Margery Neale; Lior Ohayon
Other key lawyers
Elliot Gluck; Benjamin Haskin; Jay Spinola; Jennifer Porter