Sarah specialises in investment funds and financial services law, with experience advising fund managers, institutional investors and high-net-worth clients on fund establishment, licensing and regulatory compliance.
Sarah has extensive experience in advising fund managers, institutional investors and high-net-worth clients on the structuring, establishment and operation of investment funds across a range of asset classes, including property, private equity and credit. She has experience working on both registered and unregistered managed investment schemes as well as joint venture vehicles.
Sarah regularly assists with AFSL and ACL applications and variations, and advises on ongoing compliance with financial services laws and AML/CTF obligations. Sarah has also advised on the establishment and registration of ESVCLPs and VCLPs.
Sarah works closely with both new and established managers, providing practical, commercially-focused advice on structuring, governance and compliance. Drawing on her understanding of Chinese business culture and language skills, Sarah also regularly supports clients within the firm’s China Practice.
Experience
- Advising on the establishment and structuring of a wide range of investment funds, including wholesale and retail managed investment schemes, ESVCLPs and other bespoke fund vehicles
- Preparing fund documentation and disclosure materials, including information memoranda and PDSs, for a range of funds covering property, credit, private equity and alternative assets.
- Negotiating and drafting key service provider agreements such as investment management agreements, custody agreements and administration agreements.
- Assisting funds with the acquisition of commercial real estate assets, including shopping centres, hotels and large-scale development projects, and providing advice on structuring, execution and regulatory compliance.
- Managing transactions involving the acquisition of AFSL-holding entities, including drafting and negotiating share purchase agreements and coordinating legal due diligence.
- Advising on AFSL and ACL applications, variations and obligations, including licensing strategy, responsible manager requirements and ongoing compliance.
- Supporting clients with compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth), including assisting with the AML/CTF audit for a large corporate client, as well as preparing and submitting exemption applications to ASIC and AUSTRAC.
- Delivering client training on governance, licensing obligations and regulatory developments, including industry-specific updates