International law firm Proskauer announced on March 20 that it has added a premier registered funds, BDC and regulatory team to its asset management platform. The team is comprised of prominent investment funds partners Stuart Coleman, David Stephens, Janna Manes, Nicole Runyan, Gary Granik, Bob Plaze and senior counsel Brad Green, as well as several associates.
Their practice includes the representation of registered funds, fund independent board members, investment advisers and other industry service providers, as well as the representation of parties on regulatory and compliance matters, including investigations and settlements. They advise a wide array of clients ranging from specialty operations to some of the largest global and domestic asset management firms. This exceptional range and depth gives the team the advantage of having their fingers on the pulse of new products and regulatory developments moving and shaping the industry today. They have represented nearly 850 mutual funds, closed-end funds, ETFs and BDCs (or their independent board members).
The addition of this team builds upon Proskauer's leading investment funds platform. We have one of the largest global private investment funds practices, including dedicated specialists in international financial services and investment advisor regulation, tax, ERISA, employment, litigation and other complementary practices.
Our Investment Management Team
Stuart H. Coleman has been practicing for over 35 years, principally advising registered funds, their independent board members and investment advisers. He also advises issuers and financial intermediaries in a wide range of public and private corporate and commercial transactions. Mr. Coleman is Chambers Band 1 (Nationwide, Investment Funds: Registered Funds).
David Stephens has more than 30 years' experience advising registered funds and their independent board members. His experience covers virtually all types of funds, including registered and unregistered funds, open-end and closed-end funds, ETFs, manager-of-manager funds and master-feeder funds, as well as funding vehicles for insurance products. He also has significant experience in product development and distribution matters. Mr. Stephens is ranked by Chambers and noted for his deep knowledge and strong business sense.
Janna Manes has, for over 20 years, counselled clients on regulatory and transactional matters involving registered open-end and closed-end funds. She also has assisted clients in structuring compliance programs and distribution arrangements, and has represented clients in acquisitions of mutual funds, investment advisers and mutual fund service providers. Ms. Manes authors several chapters in PLI's Mutual Fund Regulation treatise and co-chairs (with Nicole Runyan) the Women's Investment Management Forum. Ms. Manes is recognized in Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers and Legal 500.
Nicole M. Runyan has more than 15 years' experience in the investment management industry. Her practice covers both fund and independent board member representations, as well as adviser representations. Ms. Runyan regularly advises clients on fund formation and operations, marketing and distribution arrangements, compliance programs, and fund mergers, liquidations and restructurings. She has been a Super Lawyers "Rising Star" since 2012, an IFLR 1000 "Rising Star" in 2016 and is recognized by Legal 500. Ms. Runyan co-chairs (with Janna Manes) the Women's Investment Management Forum and frequently publishes articles on industry developments.
Gary L. Granik's practice focuses on investment adviser and investment company regulation. He has acted as both fund counsel and underwriters' counsel in numerous closed-end and mutual fund offerings on behalf of leading institutional clients, with particular emphasis on both registered and private alternative investment products. Mr. Granik also regularly advises private funds and their managers on investment management and other corporate law issues.
Robert E. Plaze counsels investment advisers and investment companies on regulatory and compliance matters. During his 30 year-tenure at the SEC, where he was most recently Deputy Director of the SEC's Division of Investment Management, he wrote and shaped many of the rules affecting registered funds and advisers. He is today a leading practitioner on investment adviser regulation, and his treatise is widely used by practitioners. Mr. Plaze is recognized as a leading lawyer in Chambers, Best Lawyers and Legal 500.
Brad Green counsels investment management clients in connection with the structuring, establishment and operation of closed-end and mutual fund products, and general compliance matters arising under the U.S. federal securities laws. He also provides regulatory advice to U.S. investment advisers, and serves as fund counsel to closed-end investment companies, including both registered and private alternative investment products, and as counsel to fund independent board members.