Practitioners within K&L Gates‘s ’practical and results-oriented’ group offer clients deep registered funds knowledge which runs the gamut of registered funds, namely exchange traded funds, open-end funds and closed-end funds, being called upon by some of the world’s largest asset managers such as BNY Mellon Investment Management. The team especially stands out for assistance with fund governance and board dynamics, due to its experience of advising leading board members of investment companies, particularly in relation to new state and congressional initiatives and regulatory changes. Indeed Robert Zutz and Ndenisarya Meekins in Washington DC are both noted for their ‘encyclopedic 1940 Act knowledge.’ Meekins leads the team alongside firm chairman Michael Caccese in Boston, Clair Pagnano in Boston and Mark Amorosi in Washington DC, who is key for restructuring matters. Pagnano is key for closed-end fund advice, and is particularly well reputed in exemptive applications as well as no-action letter requests. Elsewhere, Mark Goshko in Boston is experienced in the formation and operation of closed-end funds.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The individuals at K&L Gates are incredibly prompt and have been particularly helpful in turning time-sensitive requests on short notice, when required. The team members are very friendly and maintain a very high degree of industry knowledge. Above all, the individuals at K&L Gates are extremely practical and results-oriented.’
‘The individuals that I work with at K&L Gates are extremely practical and results-oriented. Stacy Fuller and Robert Zutz will go above and beyond to ensure that their clients receive the sophisticated legal advice required to address complex issues of law on a timely basis.’
‘So many resources under one firm. The registered funds team has so much experience, including many having served at the SEC.’
‘Bob Zutz and Ndenisarya Meekins are amazing! They are so knowledgeable and stay abreast of all industry developments and regulatory matters.’
‘The team is a leader in launching closed-end interval funds with innovative strategies.’
‘The K&L Gates mutual funds practice attorneys have deep knowledge of their subject matter, are very responsive when asked to comment on any business matter that may arise, and go out of their way to improve fund governance and board dynamics. I have been especially impressed, as a relatively new board chair, that the lead of the K&L team has provided me with "coaching" on how to navigate some of the key challenges that our board has faced. This advice has been invaluable and in at least one case clearly resulted in a substantial benefit to our shareholders.’
‘Energy, integrity, intellect, and knowledge. The K&L Gates team seems to be always available, and they manage to turn around even very complicated projects very quickly. I am particularly impressed with Robert Zutz and Ndenisarya Meekins, both of whom have encyclopedic 1940 Act knowledge as well as great wisdom in addressing the questions that have come before our board.'
'K&L has built a remarkable breadth of knowledge and depth of experience in their 1940 Act teams. There has never been an instance where we could not turn to them with absolute confidence for their advice or representation in any area of need no matter how essential or arcane. Their astute assessments of the regulators as well as new state and congressional initiatives are exceptionally insightful, accurate and truly helpful.'
Key clients
- Touchstone Advisors
- Federated Hermes
- Principal Global Investors
- BNY Mellon Investment Management
- GCM Grosvenor
- NexPoint Advisors
- John Hancock Investment Management
- MassMutual Funds
- Mirova
- Allspring Investments
Work highlights
Represented a leading US-based global investment manager in its creation of investment performance models for new alternative investment strategies and PPMs, and on how to comply with the SEC’s new Marketing Rule.
Represented multiple issuers, including Eventide Asset Management, Income Research and Management and 3Edge Asset Management, in connection with the launch of their first ETFs'
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.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Ndenisarya Meekins
Practice head
Michael Caccese; Clair Pagnano; Mark Amorosi; Ndenisarya Meekins
Other key lawyers
Robert Zutz; George Zornada; Stacy Fuller; Mark Goshko