Investment Adviser & Financial Services Compliance

Alston & Bird advises investment advisers and other financial services companies on regulatory compliance, registration, disclosure, and transactional matters. Our team helps clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks, prepare for examinations, respond to inquiries, and obtain regulatory relief, including no-action letters and exemptive orders.

We address the full spectrum of regulatory obligations, including:

• Registration & Disclosure: Guidance on entity and individual registration under federal and state law, including preparation of all required filings.

• Marketing & Advertising: Counseling on the marketing and sale of advised fund shares, performance advertising, Rule 3a4-1 compliance, and drafting distribution agreements with broker-dealers.

• Mergers & Acquisitions: Transactional and regulatory counsel for M&A involving investment advisers and other financial services firms.

• Family Office Structuring: Assistance in structuring family office activities to avoid inadvertent adviser registration.

• Contracts & Documentation: Drafting and review of advisory contracts, service provider agreements, and client disclosure documents.

• Compliance Programs: Developing and reviewing policies and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and related federal and state regulations.

• Ethics & Trade Practices: Advising on trade allocation practices, soft dollar arrangements, codes of ethics, and other operational compliance matters.

By combining practical business insight with deep regulatory expertise, Alston & Bird ensures that investment advisers and financial services firms can operate confidently, minimize risk, and maintain compliance in a dynamic regulatory environment.