Mastering ESG Compliance

Cleveland & Co is providing firms with dedicated support to helping navigate the complexities of sustainability regulations such as SFDR, SDR, and the EU ESG Ratings. Our bespoke legal advice and implementation ensures that your business remains fully compliant.

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Is ESG Compliance Weighing You Down?

 

If you’re facing regulatory pressure to integrate ESG principles or struggling with the conflicting expectations of investors and regulators, Cleveland & Co is your trusted partner. We understand that ESG compliance can overwhelm in-house teams, and we provide the deep industry knowledge and practical solutions to alleviate that burden. Whether you need help drafting ESG mandates, managing shareholder activism, or responding to new governance requirements, we’re here to support your journey towards sustainable growth.

How We Can Help

Our specialist lawyers have a birds eye view of the asset management industry working for a variety of actors including large and small asset managers, investors and trade associations including the Investment Association and UN Principles of Responsible Investing. We can advise and share best practice and common pain points. We also understand the application of the regulation from different vantage points and support on topics ranging from impending EU ESG Ratings Regulations through to making TCFD disclosures.

 

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Transform Regulatory Challenges into Growth.

When you engage Cleveland & Co, you gain access to seasoned legal professionals who specialise in ESG for the asset management sector. You will benefit from holistic legal support that integrates seamlessly with your commercial objectives, enabling you to turn regulatory challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.

 

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.

Wealth Manager/Family Office

Team Size: 35 employees globally.

In-house legal team: 0

 

Client Requirement

    • Outsource the review, negotiation and management of all legal documents; client mandates, engagement letters, and distribution agreements for review, negotiation and finalisation with minimal oversight.
    • Ability to outsource all commercial agreements and platform agreements for review, negotiation and finalisation with minimal oversight.
    • Implement regulatory projects; MiFID II, GDPR and SFDR.
    • Participation in weekly strategic/business development calls.

Benefits Delivered

    • Proactive management of key legal tasks across all areas of required law.
    • Provided a true full service in-house legal team support for the business.
    • Driving legal project delivery and managing all relevant stakeholders.

Global Sustainability Association

Team Size: 200+ employees globally.

In-house legal team: 1

 

Client Requirement

    • Supporting the Global General Counsel across regions with on tap additional expertise and capacity.
    • Input across policy areas, reports/guidance and principals for responsible investment.
    • Support with general commercial contracts: e.g. terms with signatories, partnership arrangements etc.
    • Guidance on governance: advising on corporate appointments, meeting packs, terms of reference for working groups, competition law advice, updates to constitutional documentation, appointment/termination of directors, fiduciary duties of asset owners.

Benefits Delivered

    • Provided a true extension of the legal team – working together as one cohesive unit.
    • Ownership and driving of legal projects and managing all relevant counterparties and stakeholders.
    • Legal project management and delivery, keeping delivery on time and on budget.
    • Multiple jurisdictions covered under one retainer.

Sustainable Investment Manager

Team Size: 5,000+ employees globally.

In-house legal team: 100+ globally

 

Client Requirement

    • On tap overflow support when the team is focusing on strategic projects, or addition of specialist in-house investment management expertise lacking in the team low on resource due to turnover, maternity leave, sabbatical or holidays.
    • Covering: implementation of regulation e.g. SFDR, institutional investment and advisory mandates, overseas marketing, distribution and platform agreements, commercial contracts, data protection, employee share schemes. 

Benefits Delivered

    • Knowledge sharing to upskill in-house team, supporting long term internal team development and reduction of external legal costs.
    • Consistency and high quality in the negotiation of documents on key legal terms.
    • IP retention to ensure that knowledge, tools and know-how developed for the client remains with the client.
    • Seamless continuity of legal support during peaks and troughs.
    • Access to our global team to support their global needs.

200+ clients representing a combined £8.7 trillion of Assets Under Management

Cleveland & Co stands apart from traditional law firms

Our focus on the asset management industry allows us to provide specialized services tailored to your business. Our senior lawyers work directly with you, ensuring a personal, high-quality service that larger firms often cannot match. We combine industry expertise with a commercial mindset, offering legal solutions that go beyond compliance to drive real, lasting impact in your organization.

Emma Cleveland – CEO, Global General Counsel

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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
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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
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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.

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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 ESG Compliance Legal Team

The ESG team at Cleveland & Co are happy to answer any questions you may have and have a depth of experience to assist with implementing advice.

Rowena Hill

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

Ziba Kinder

Legal Counsel

Expertise: Contract Drafting and Negotiation, Corporate and Commercial, Regulation and Compliance, Litigation
Experience: 15+ years

Adam Blair

Adam Blair

Senior Legal Counsel

Expertise: Financial Services Regulation (AIFMS, MiFID2, SMCR, Brexit, FCA Consumer Duty)
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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Why Cleveland & Co over a larger firm?

We are specialits within the asset management sector and are able to provide specialized advice that larger firms often cannot offer. We have clients on both sides of negotiating table, and support industry associations, which allows us to provide pragmatic practical advice.

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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 jurisdictions can you cover?

Our lawyers are qualified to advise asset managers on UK, Irish, Australia, US, Singapore mandates.

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I'm a funds lawyer trying to deal with ESG. How can you help?

We know that firms may have spent large sums of money with law firms and project managers, C&Co have an team of specialist asset management lawyers who can lend muscle to help implement changes without paying law firm or consultancy prices.

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Digesting new regulations across regimes is hard. What value do you bring?

We have a birds eye view of the asset management industry working for a variety of actors including large and small asset managers, investors and trade associations including the Investment Association and UN Principles of Responsible Investing. We can advise and share best practice and common pain points. We also understand the application of the regulation from different vantage points whether that is a firm caught by the impending EU ESG Ratings Regulations to firms having to make TCFD disclosures.

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.”
UK & European IT Company

“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. ”
Investment Manager

“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.”
Investment Manager

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

CHAT WITH CRAIG