Blank Rome LLP

Funds, investment advisers, and independent board members face a continually changing landscape. From uncertainty in the regulatory environment to shifting markets, every change is both a challenge to meet and an opportunity to seize. Blank Rome provides innovative and effective solutions for clients seeking to access the public or private investment fund market.

Blank Rome counsels regulated and private investment funds, as well as registered and unregistered investment advisers and independent board members. Our attorneys understand first-hand public and private investment fund formation. We combine our structuring know-how with business acumen and extensive experience with disclosure and compliance-related issues in a constantly evolving regulatory environment.

We counsel clients on compliance issues with respect to federal and state securities laws, including: the Investment Company Act of 1940; the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; the Securities Act of 1933; the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; blue-sky and other state and local securities laws; other federal securities laws; and tax, banking, and ERISA statutes and regulations.

Blank Rome’s extensive network of contacts and relationships in the angel, venture capital, private equity, hedge fund, registered investment company, and banking communities enables us to make introductions and referrals to facilitate transactions between our clients and potential investors and financing sources.

Blank Rome represents many of the nation's leading players in lending, leasing, and specialty finance. For more details, please see the financial services overview.

We serve the following fund clients:

• alternative investment funds
• hedge funds
• mezzanine capital
• mutual funds and closed-end investment companies
• private equity funds
• venture capital funds

Blank Rome attorneys offer regulatory, legal, and structuring advice. They provide investment companies, investment advisers, and sponsors with a wide range of legal services, including:

• debt and equity financing
• development of innovative investment products
• Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and tax issues
• fund formation, management and ongoing operation
• fund of funds, and master-feeder fund structures
• mergers, acquisitions, and reorganizations
• organization of investment management entities
• preparation of private offering materials
• preparation of registration statements, proxy statements, and review of marketing materials
• registration of investment advisers
• regulatory compliance under federal and state securities laws
• representation of independent directors and trustees
• SEC applications for exemptive orders and requests for no-action letters
• stock exchange listing applications and compliance

Experienced Lawyers, Recognized in Their Fields

Blank Rome is among the top firms listed in the American Lawyer’s corporate scoreboard for representing new mutual funds. Our partner Thomas Westle is frequently quoted in the business media, and appears on television and radio to comment on developments related to public and private funds.