Michelle JM Moran

Investment Funds

Michelle guides clients in all aspects of managing funds, including undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS), hedge funds, private funds, investment trusts, real estate funds, segregated institutional portfolios, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and credit funds. She has worked on a wide variety of transactions involving investment managers, brokers, custodians, fund service providers and operating platforms.

Reflecting the trend of enabling ‘alternative’ funds to enter mainstream investor bases, Michelle represents credit funds in building out global distribution infrastructure. She also builds ETF products and platforms, to promote their growth into the mainstream. In addition, Michelle works on strategic planning for asset managers responding to the changing global landscape.

Investment Management Compliance

Michelle represents numerous financial institutions on sensitive issues involving EU regulators in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Some of this work has involved significant interaction with the Financial Conduct Authority on matters of high importance. Her extensive regulatory experience includes having participated on the EU Commission working groups responsible for formulating proposals to change UCITS legislation.

Public Service & Legislative Advice

As a member of both the Expert Liaison Group and the Investment Bank Advisory Panel formed by HM Treasury, Michelle advised on desired policy and legislative change prompted by the financial crisis. These groups focused principally on the drafting of the Banking Act 2009 related secondary legislation, and client asset law and regulation. She also was appointed an officer of the International Bar Association’s Investment Funds Committee in 2015.

Recognition

Michelle has been consistently recognised since 2005, initially as a ‘Hot 100’ lawyer and subsequently by The Legal 500 and Chambers Global. Client feedback elicited by The Legal 500 has included: ‘Michelle Moran has an encyclopedic knowledge of funds law, and, as a former GC of a major funds house, a shrewd understanding of the challenges internal counsel face.’; ‘Michelle Moran is very pragmatic. She looks for solutions, rather than just stating the law.’; and ‘Michelle Moran is an exceptional lawyer and has the benefit of several years as an in-house lawyer, which distinguishes her from many of her peers as she is able to fully understand her clients’ goals as well as the internal pressures that they face.’

In-house Experience

Michelle brings clients the benefit of her eight years at Invesco, where she was Head of Legal for the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Personal Interests

Outside the office, Michelle enjoys supporting the important work of Centenary Action and Aspire; exploring London’s many cultural, historical and social events; and spending time with her family.