Having been involved in the launch, approval and listing of several novel investment products, Joel Corriero is well-versed in the latest in alternative and emerging exchange-traded products (ETPs). He counsels investment companies — including exchange-traded funds (ETFs), closed-end funds, alternative funds and mutual funds — and investment advisers on the full spectrum of regulatory and compliance matters.
Notably, Joel has counseled on niche investment products, including crypto-focused ETPs, options-based defined outcome funds, and managed futures and private credit ETFs relying on U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 6c-11. He has also been instrumental in assisting his clients with Section 351 conversions of private funds and separate accounts into registered vehicles, such as ETFs and interval funds.
On behalf of investment companies, Joel advises on all aspects of the representation, including matters pertaining to their initial creation such as formation of their advisers and establishment of their boards, and continued compliance with the federal securities laws. Joel also counsels ETFs and closed-end funds on matters relating to exchange listing and compliance. He has experience in closed-end fund initial public offerings (IPOs); alternative fund structure and design; ETF and other ETP capital markets, including negotiations with authorized participants and market makers for transactions in ETF and other ETP shares; and matters impacting insurance-dedicated mutual funds.
In addition, Joel drafts and reviews critical fund documents, such as registration statements, proxy solicitation materials and exchange listing applications. He also counsels on transactional matters, such as mergers and acquisitions, and has experience drafting and negotiating various agreements for investment companies and investment advisers.
Featured Representative Matters
Advised on Section 351 conversions of private funds to interval funds, including for Nuveen (Nuveen Enhanced CLO Income Fund) and Aristotle Pacific (Aristotle Pacific Enhanced CLO Income Fund), both of which involved the porting of predecessor account track records to the newly established interval funds.
Represented Abacus FCF Advisors in connection with a Section 351 conversion of a separately managed account to the Abacus FCF Small Cap Leaders ETF (ABLS).
Served as counsel to Franklin Templeton on the formation, registration, listing and launch of a new ETP, Franklin Ethereum ETF — one of several spot ether ETFs to receive listing approval from the SEC.
Represented Franklin Templeton on the formation, registration, listing and launch of the Franklin Bitcoin ETF, one of 11 spot bitcoin ETFs to receive listing approval from the SEC on January 10, 2024.
Advised Franklin Templeton in launching its Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF, a physically backed gold ETP with an ESG focus that is registered under the Securities Act of 1933.
Represented Nuveen-sponsored closed-end fund Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund in connection with its IPO, which raised $575 million.
Represented Nuveen-sponsored closed-end fund Nuveen Dynamic Municipal Opportunities Fund in connection with its IPO, which raised $780 million.
Represented Nuveen in connection with a Section 351 conversion of the Nuveen CLO Opportunities Fund, an LP fund, to the Nuveen Enhanced CLO Income Fund, a registered interval fund.
Assisted in the representation of one of the firm’s largest investment fund clients (and one of the top 20 fund groups in the United States) on two transformational acquisitions, including the acquisition of an ETF business, involving the reorganization of 67 ETFs into the client’s platform, and the acquisition of an asset management business with 104 mutual funds and ETFs, as well as collective trusts, undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS), separate accounts and private accounts, totaling approximately $250 billion.
Assisted one of the world’s largest asset managers with the launch of its first suite of strategic beta and active ETFs.
Assisted in the representation of an investment adviser, which sponsored a suite of smart beta ETFs focused on emerging markets, with the sale of its business to a global asset management firm.
Assisted with the launch of several alternative investment mutual funds for one of the leading global providers of alternative investments, including matters related to registration statement review and compliance, and the drafting of complex strategy and risk disclosure.
Recognitions
Chambers USA (Nationwide: Registered Funds) (2026)
Chambers USA (Up and Coming: Nationwide: Registered Funds) (2025)
The Legal 500 US (Recommended: Investment Fund Formation and Management: Mutual/Registered/Exchange-Traded Funds) (2025-26)
Rising Star, Fund Intelligence (2021)
Featured Speaking Engagements
Panelist, “Old Vehicles, New Tricks: Navigating Innovation,” Stradley Ronon at ICI 2026 Investment Management Conference
