About

Provided by Sullivan & Worcester

Sullivan lawyers have provided legal advice to registered fund complexes, large and small. Today, we are counsel to the funds and/or independent trustees of more than 30 fund boards or groups responsible for more than $900 billion in assets under management. And while we have represented some of the largest mutual fund complexes, with our focus on partner-client interaction, we are especially well positioned to help mutual fund complexes with managed assets up to $100 billion.


We have represented mutual funds in a variety of matters, such as formation and registration, corporate governance, compliance, risk management, and mergers and acquisitions. We are experienced in helping clients to bring alternative investment strategies to the registered fund market, including hedge fund-, commodity fund-, and derivative-based strategies. We have helped clients develop composite indices tracking alternative assets and incorporate them into passively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs). We also regularly assist clients to create fund and share class structures to satisfy multiple distribution channels. We regularly advise clients on compliance matters, including privacy and cybersecurity, and reporting, custody, trading, and valuation matters relating to alternative asset classes in addition to traditional debt and equity.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Registered Funds - USA - Nationwide
4
Band 4
What the team is known for

Sullivan & Worcester boasts a distinguished registered funds group that handles mutual funds, closed-end funds and ETFs. Particularly well regarded for its strength in independent trustee representation.

Work Highlights

Provided by Sullivan & Worcester
  • Sullivan & Worcester advised the Independent Trustees of the Pacific Select Fund and Pacific Funds Series Trust on board governance and responsibilities under the federal securities law and state law.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
David C. Mahaffey
3
David C. Mahaffey
3
Band 3

David Mahaffey is best known for his high-level representation of independent trustees for ETFs and open and closed-end funds.

David M Leahy
4
David M Leahy
Head of Registered Funds
4
Band 4

David Leahy is valued for his astute advice to independent trustees and directors of mutual funds, closed-end funds and ETFs.

"David is a knowledgeable lawyer."

Domenick Pugliese
4
Domenick Pugliese
4
Band 4

Domenick Pugliese's broad capabilities enable him to handle ETFs and mutual funds matters, with particular expertise in advising independent trustees.

"He is well connected, thoughtful and responsive."

"Domenick is responsive and knowledgeable."

Ranked Lawyers at
Sullivan & Worcester

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

USA - Nationwide

Registered Funds

David C. Mahaffey
3
David C. Mahaffey
3
Band 3
David M Leahy
4
David M Leahy
Head of Registered Funds
4
Band 4
Domenick Pugliese
4
Domenick Pugliese
4
Band 4

Members

Provided by Sullivan & Worcester

Abigail Bertumen

David C. Mahaffey

David C. Mahaffey

Head of Department

David M Leahy

David M Leahy

Head of Department

Harvey Bines

John Chilton

John Hunt

Head of Department

Matthew Van Wormer

Nicole Crum

Rachael Schwartz

Industries

Provided by Sullivan & Worcester

Broker-Dealer Regulation

Corporate Governance & Board Advisory

Financial Services

Government Investigations & White Collar Defense

International Tax

Investment Advisors, Commodity Trading Advisors & Institutional Investors

Investment Management

Real Estate, Alternative & Offshore Investment Funds

Securities Litigation

Tax