Cillian Lynch represents registered investment companies, investment advisers and boards of directors in a wide range of regulatory, corporate and transactional matters. His clients include several of the largest investment management firms and fund complexes in the United States, as well as investment advisers and mutual funds of various sizes and areas of focus within the investment industry. Cillian counsels clients on their obligations under the federal securities laws and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Investment Company Act of 1940.
Cillian is well versed in representing investment company and investment adviser clients of various sizes and strategies, and providing advice related to fund registration matters and all areas of mutual fund disclosure. Cillian also advises clients on drafting fund and adviser compliance policies and procedures, including in response to new and evolving U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and guidance; mergers and acquisitions involving investment companies and investment advisers; and drafting and negotiating a wide variety of selling, revenue-sharing and other distribution agreements.
Cillian also represents boards and independent directors of fund companies of varying sizes and complexity, advising boards and their committees on governance matters, fiduciary duties, due diligence, engagement with fund and adviser personnel, and how to approach director responsibilities of oversight under the federal securities laws.
Cillian has spent the entirety of his career advising clients on investment management and securities regulation matters and brings a pragmatic and considered approach to client service.
Featured Representative Matters
Assisted in the representation of a large investment management company complex in its acquisition of 17 equity and bond mutual funds with $3.6 billion in assets, including the reorganization of those funds into the complex.
Assisted a bank-owned investment company in transitioning all non-investment services to new third-party and internal providers, including distribution, administration, marketing, custody and transfer agency services.
Assisted in the representation of a leading independent global investment management firm in connection with the client’s acquisition of more than 120 funds from a multinational financial services corporation, including certain matters related to the rationalization of the client’s product lineup thereafter.
Assisted in the ongoing representation of investment companies within two fund complexes in connection with the launch of alternative strategy funds, including drafting and reviewing registration statements, review of sub-adviser materials, response to SEC inquiries, and preparation of necessary shareholder report disclosures.
Engaged to advise the board of directors of a bank-owned investment management company complex on matters of corporate governance, fund oversight and compliance with federal securities laws.
Drafted an exemptive application to the SEC for a large investment management company to allow the use of a manager-of-managers structure.
Community Impact
Cillian is an active member of his community in Washington, D.C., including as a volunteer supporting various elementary and middle-school activities, and, since 2021, as a recreational soccer coach.
