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.

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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.

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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

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

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 globallyIn-house legal team: 0

Client Requirement

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

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 £9 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

Expert legal support tailored to your needs

Your Business

Cleveland & Co works closely with your team to understand your specific legal requirements. 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

Clear, one-time cost
Transparent and predictable budgeting
No ongoing commitment after project completion
Best suited for specific, well-defined projects

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Monthly Retainer

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

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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.

Specialists typically perform: 15%; better than generalists

Compared to a single hire,: 7x; more PQE access

Across time zones: 100%; team availability

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.

Amanda Quaine

Deputy General Counsel – EMEA

Expertise: Investment Management, Financial Services Regulation, Funds, Alternative Funds, Securities, Trading & Investments, Structuring & Restructuring, Corporate Governance, Corporate and Commercial

Experience: 27 years

Get in touch with Amanda

Trevor Goodman

Director

Expertise: Investment Management, Financial Services Regulation, Funds, Structuring and Restructuring, Corporate Governance, Commercial, Fintech

Experience: 30 years

Get in touch with Trevor

Access to 200+ years team PQE experience for less than the cost of a General Counsel.

Recent Awards

Our ability to provide value to clients in the financial services sector is winning awards across a range of categories.

2026 Modern Law Awards Winner, Law Firm – Small

2026 Women & Diversity in Law Awards Finalist, Law Firm of the Year

2026 Women & Diversity in Law Awards Highly Commended, Law Firm Leader of the Year (Boutique)

2026 Modern Law Awards Highly Commended, Best Use of Technology

2026 Modern Law Awards Shortlisted, Innovation Award

2023 Strategic Legal Operations Team of the Year

2022 Corporate Counsel Awards finalist, Financial Services Lawyer of the Year

2022 Modern Law Awards Diversity and Inclusion Award

2021 Women in Finance UK Legal Adviser of the Year

FAQ

Our FAQ section covers a range of topics about the institutional work we do.

: We specialise in drafting, negotiating, and advising on key agreements such as Investment Management Agreements (IMAs), advisory contracts, fund documentation, distribution and platform agreements, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

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 us 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 Cordelia, or leave a message.

Cordelia Hughes, Chief Growth Officer

chughes@cleveland-co.com +44 7983 800548 LinkedIn