Investment Funds: Open-ended Funds

Eversheds Sutherland is active across a range of fund types, including real estate funds and closed-ended listed funds. It is especially well known for its strength in the open-ended funds space. Its impressive bench of practitioners demonstrates deep industry knowledge and frequently handles regulated and UCITS or NURS (non-UCITS regulated scheme) funds, with extensive experience of developing complex products for retail and institutional investors. The team assists asset managers and depositary banks with their AIFMD implementation, while also advising on matters relating to Property Authorised Investment Funds and Authorised Corporate Schemes. Eversheds Sutherland has extensive experience of launching real estate funds, which typically have values in the hundreds of millions. Beyond fund formation, the group is able to support on capital raising, debt raising and regulatory compliance, including ESG.

"They're really knowledgeable lawyers who are very easy to use and always provide comprehensive advice. It's helpful to get a feel from them on more strategic matters."

"The Eversheds Sutherland team have a great ability to understand the industry and give practical, no-nonsense advice."

"The team demonstrate a strong understanding of the industry and are also able to assist in a timely manner."

"Eversheds is one of the leading retail funds practices, with a number of very experienced lawyers."

"They are an approachable firm who are very knowledgeable on the topics they are providing legal advice on."

Eversheds Sutherland advised Aviva on its inaugural long-term asset fund.

Eversheds Sutherland advised Columbia Threadneedle on the change of classification of its Luxembourg common fund.

Eversheds Sutherland counselled Gresham House Energy Storage Fund on its placing and retail offer.

Julian Brown assists clients with a wide variety of matters relating to open-ended funds, including ethical and regulatory compliance, OEICs and Charity Authorised Investment Funds. "Julian is incredibly knowledgeable, experienced and personable." "Julian has excellent market knowledge and knowledge of our business." "Julian has taken the time to get to know our business and is a trusted voice on our external legal panel." "Julian is technically extremely strong." "Julian has excellent market knowledge and knowledge of our business."

Michaela Walker regularly advises depositary banks and asset management companies on authorised funds and Authorised Contractual Schemes. She has particular expertise in long-term asset funds. "Michaela is very strong and responsive." "Michaela Walker continues to be a leading UK retail funds adviser." "Michaela is one of our most trusted advisers, due not only to her expertise and experience, but also her ability to understand our business and specific needs." "Michaela provides excellent client service, and her knowledge and expertise of the industry is evident." "Michaela has a skill in unpacking and presenting her analysis in a digestible format, which is useful."

Phil Spyropoulos acts for a range of clients including asset managers, wealth managers and charities. He advises on areas including FCA regulation, fund launches and fund management. "Phil is an impressive lawyer who is really on top of his subject matter." "Phil has a lot of experience and is very user-friendly." "Phil is a leading partner in the area of responsible investment. His work with industry bodies means that he is at the forefront of developments and can provide his clients with valuable intelligence." "Phil provides excellent, practical advice clearly and promptly." "Phil's knowledge, application and timely responses have been incredibly useful to us."

Richard Batchelor advises both investors and fund managers in the real estate sector. He regularly provides guidance on fund structuring and fundraising. "Richard is very friendly and personable, commercial, experienced and pragmatic. He is technically aware, capable of tailoring advice and focused on good service." "Richard is knowledgeable, but also makes it accessible and understandable for a wider audience. He doesn't try to overcomplicate things. He's very user-friendly and good with people." "Richard is really skilled and highly knowledgeable in all real estate funds." "He's very commercial, is responsive and goes to quite some length to understand our desired outcome before providing us with advice, and he comes up with things we may not have thought about."

Sarah Burnside assists closed-ended fund managers with a variety of issues, including new listings, IPOs and structuring. She also advises on regulatory issues. "Sarah is very reliable, provides a good level of advice and finds the balance between making sure that everything is legally sound from a regulatory perspective." "Sarah is very responsive and always ready to help. She is always helpful in accommodating tight timelines." "Sarah is professional and carries out tasks to an excellent standard."