Premium Legal Support for Institutional Investors
At Cleveland & Co, we offer bespoke legal services designed for asset managers and institutional investors. Our deep industry expertise spans multiple jurisdictions and includes the drafting and negotiation of complex legal agreements, such as Investment Management Agreements (IMAs), advisory contracts, and fund documentation.
Are you facing legal complexities in managing institutional funds?
As an institutional investor or asset manager, do you find your legal team stretched thin when handling multi-jurisdictional agreements and regulatory compliance? Are you seeking an experienced legal partner who understands the complexities of fund management and can help you navigate intricate legal frameworks with confidence? Cleveland & Co’s team of specialists is here to support you. We act as an extension of your in-house legal team, providing expert guidance that ensures your operations run smoothly and compliantly.
Elevate Your Legal Strategy Today
Cleveland & Co has consistently delivered expert legal services that enable institutional investors and asset managers to stay ahead in a competitive market. Don’t let legal complexities slow you down. If you are facing challenges with institutional fund work, get in touch. We can help you cut through the noise.
When you partner with Cleveland & Co you gain more than just legal support. You gain a strategic ally.
Our legal team brings together a portfolio of deep expertise. This enables us to provide insightful advice that enhances your business operations. Expect high-quality work across a range of disciplines all delivered from a team who understands your business. This is how we deliver value and minimising risk for you.
A trusted partner in the investment management industry
The scope of our client relationships within the investment management industry reflects our ability to deliver high quality advice, and make it accessible to all industry participants. Our clients include leading funds, investment managers, and banks.
Fixed Income Fund Manager
Team Size: 40 employees globally.
In-house legal team: 0
Client Requirement
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- Full outsourced legal coverage.
- Relative value bond strategy and derivatives overlay.
- Fund structures in Cayman, Australia and Irish UCITS.
- Ability to understand their business model and Regulated in Australia, US and UK regimes.
- Legal risk management for BAU and regulatory issues. Reduce their external legal spend and streamline external legal support.
- Covering: implementation of regulation e.g. initial margin project, IMA’s, ISDAs, general commercial work.
Benefits Delivered
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- Ownership and driving of legal projects and managing all relevant counterparties and stakeholders.
- Within budget delivery of legal projects, supporting bottom line financial management.
- Multiple jurisdictions covered under one retainer.
- Delivered a centralised legal risk management function reporting into COO.
Global Asset Management Company
Team Size: 8000+ globally.
In-house legal team: 50+
Client Requirement
- On-tap specialist legal support for complex matters e.g. IMA and distribution agreements.
- Provision of bespoke training on IMAs and IMA negotiations.
- Review and update core templates (related to regulated services; distribution, platform agreements, broker terms) to ensure consistency across group entities.
- Regulatory advice related to regulatory change.
Benefits Delivered
- Ownership and driving of legal projects and managing all relevant counterparties and stakeholders.
- Within budget delivery of legal projects, supporting bottom line financial management
- Multiple jurisdictions covered under one retainer.
- Delivered a centralised legal risk management function reporting into COO.
UK Investments Industry Association
Team Size: 51-200 employees globally
In-house legal team: 0
Client Requirement
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- Legal support across all departments, balancing interests of the association along with membership needs.
- Complete integration with the broader team to participate in strategic and business initiatives and pre-empt legal requirements with respect to new programmes being launched e.g. start-up accelerators.
- Supporting all policy and guidance regarding industry regulatory change.
- Participating in committee meetings.
- Monthly in-person meetings.
- Oversee competition law and advice as necessary.
Benefits Delivered
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- Delivery of critical legal projects, managing all relevant stakeholders.
- High quality preparation of significant numbers of reusable legal templates
- Enhanced internal corporate and governance policies to manage legal risk across the board.
- Provide “second to none” market intelligence given our on the ground access to the industry through our client base and our business model.
200+ clients representing a combined £8.7 trillion of Assets Under Management
Cleveland & Co stands apart in proving access to high quality investment management advice
Not many law firms have clients on both sides of the transaction i.e. investor and asset manager. Negotiating from both vantage points gives us helpful insights and solutions orientated advice to offer our clients.
Emma Cleveland – CEO, Global General Counsel
Access the cross section of skills your institutional work requires
In a hurry? Leave your details below and we’ll follow up to find a convenient time to discuss your needs.
Expert legal support tailored to your needs
Cleveland & Co works closely with your team to understand your specific legal requirements.
Your Business
Alongside your initial legal requirements we aim to understand how your business works. This ensures we provide expert guidance tailored to your needs.
Specialist Skills
We specialise in drafting, negotiating, and advising on key agreements like IMAs, fund documentation, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
One Team
Our approach integrates seamlessly with your in-house teams. Expect meticulous attention to detail, fast execution, and expert advice tailored to your business.
Pricing
We offer flexible pricing models tailored to your specific needs. Whether it's a one-time consultation or ongoing support, our pricing structure is transparent and aligned with the scope of services required. Our goal is to provide exceptional value without unforeseen costs.
Choose Your Plan
Fixed Fee Projects
Ideal for clients with specific projects or well-defined scopes of work. One-time, transparent pricing ensures clarity and predictability.
- Clear, one-time cost
- Transparent and predictable budgeting
- No ongoing commitment after project completion
- Best suited for specific, well-defined projects
Monthly Retainer
Best for clients requiring continuous advisory services. Access to a cross section of skills managed through one partnership.
- Access to a dedicated team of experts
- Continuous, on-demand support
- Flexible, tailored assistance as needs evolve
- Builds a long-term relationship for strategic support
A panel of specialists through one account
The Cleveland & Co business model offers you the hard to access combination of a team of specialists offering high quality advice in the format of a single lawyer hire available as a round the clock service.
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Specialists typically outperform generalists by 15%
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Access 700% more PQE compared to a single hire
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Availability with team members across time zones.
Your Institutional Funds Legal Team
The institutional funds team at Cleveland & Co are happy to answer any questions you may have and have a depth of experience to assist with implementing advice.
Emma Cleveland
CEO, Global General Counsel
Expertise: Investment Management, Financial Services Regulation, Funds, Alternative Funds, Securities, Trading & Investments, Securities Lending, Structuring & Restructuring, Distribution, Corporate Governance, Financing, Corporate, Commercial, Fintech, Intellectual Property
Experience: 20+ years
Rowena Hill
Managing Director, General Counsel EMEA
Expertise: Investment Management, Financial Services Regulation, Funds, Alternative Funds, Distribution, ESG and Corporate Governance, Corporate, Commercial
Experience: 19 years
Ziba Kinder
Legal Counsel
Expertise: Contract Drafting and Negotiation, Corporate and Commercial, Regulation and Compliance, Litigation
Experience: 15+ years
Access to 200+ years team PQE experience for less than the cost of a General Counsel.
Cleveland & Co provides access to a bench of specialist expertise billed as a single General Counsel service.
Recent Awards
Our ability to provide value to clients in the financial services sector is winning awards across a range of categories.
FAQ
Our FAQ section covers a range of topics about the institutional work work we do.
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What types of legal agreements do you specialize in?
We specialize in complex institutional agreements, including Investment Management Agreements, advisory agreements, and fund documentation. Our expertise spans multiple jurisdictions and asset classes.
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How do you integrate with our in-house legal team?
We work as an extension of your in-house team, offering high-caliber legal advice while seamlessly integrating into your processes to ensure efficiency and precision.
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Are you in-house or private practice?
All our lawyers have a mix of private practice and in-house experience gained at quality firms (Janus Henderson, Schroders, Invesco, Franklin Templeton, Ninety One, Aviva, Threadneedle).
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What experience do you have with IMA's?
Our institutional lawyers are expert legal practitioners but also understand the operational mechanics of an IMA and have experience of working with in-house onboarding teams. We understand the impact of clauses in practice not just theory.
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We are being asked to review or sign up to IMAs as part of the RFP process and don't have in-house legal capacity. How can you help?
Our on demand team is a one stop shop enabling us to meet all institutional needs from funds to regulatory to investment documentation. We regularly help firms manage peaks and troughs of institutional work including proposals, and maternity / paternity cover.
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What jurisdictions can you cover?
Our lawyers are qualified to advise asset managers on UK, Irish, Australia, US, Singapore mandates.
Top Tier Investment Management Testimonials
“Cleveland & Co played an instrumental role in our recent M&A operation, turning a complex process into a smooth transition. Their strategic expertise and professional approach gave is confidence, ensuring our success. We highly recommend their services for any business seeking a reliable partner for significant growth.”
“Cleveland & Co have been supporting us on our journey to a $1bn plus asset under management for a few years. They have filled a need for us – having on hand a general counsel with multiple skill sets without having to employ a whole general counsel team. It is hard to do – but they have made it work – and work very well. ”
“We were introduced to Cleveland & Co a few years ago and the relationship has proven to be very beneficial to us. The combination of expertise within the field, accessibility, speed and flexibility has been just what we needed. We look forward to carrying on the relationship, and it’s refreshing to deal with a pragmatic, professional, down to earth group of people.”
Conveniently located in London Bridge
Chat with Craig, or leave a message.
“I’m happy to answer any questions you may have and can coordinate within the team for you if necessary. Alternatively feel free to just leave a message and I can get back to you by email.” Craig Rowland