Brian specialises in financial services law and is Head of the A&L Goodbody Investment Funds Unit. He has extensive experience in the establishment and authorisation of all types of investment funds including UCITS, non-UCITS and all types of alternative funds. In addition to advising the promoters and investment managers of such funds, he advises fund investors, fund directors and fund service providers including administrators, custodians and prime brokers on relevant Irish law, regulation and practices. Brian also advises on all aspects of the regulation of asset management and fund servicing activities in Ireland including advising on the establishment of asset management and fund servicing operations and obtaining the requisite authorisation.

Experience

He has recently advised

• On the establishment of investment funds in Ireland by Pyramis Global Advisors, Insight Investment and Deutsche Bank.
• Several leading asset management firms in relation to the redomiciliation of investment funds to Ireland.

Market Recommendations

Brian is recommended by a number of leading publications and directories where comments include: "Brian is hailed as exceptionally knowledgeable. He has a great understanding of the industry and our business and his advice is extremely commercial. He leads the team and is widely regarded as one of the market's leading lawyers" (Chambers Europe 2013); "Brian has tremendous investment funds expertise and deeply impresses clients with his exceptionally good understanding of where the market is going” (Chambers Europe 2012); "Brian is seen as one of the forbearers of the Irish funds industry having had a hand in establishing numerous products...I have high regard for him…he would be very well known and has been in the industry a very long time" (IFLR1000 2012); "Brian is highly rated" (The Legal 500 2012). "He is recognised as a leading figure in the investment funds field, and clients note that he is very, very strong technically” (Chambers Europe 2011); “The universally acclaimed Brian McDermott” (Legal 500 2011) is "a delight to work with….he's exceptionally capable and thoroughly commercial" (Chambers Europe 2010). Brian is also recommended in Best Lawyers 2010, IFLR1000 2010, 2011 and 2013, Who's Who Legal 2010 and 2011, Chambers Europe 2010 and 2013, PLC Which Lawyer 2011 and The Legal 500 2010.

Education

• BCL, University College Dublin, 1986
• LLM, European University Institute, 1990
• Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland, 1990

Professional activities

Brian was elected as a member of the Council of the Irish Fund Industry Association (the IFIA) in 2009. He has also sat on the IFIA’s Legal and Regulatory Committee for a number of years and chaired this Committee in its 2004 to 2006 session. Brian is also a member of the legislative sub-group of the IFSC Funds group which is a cross-sectoral committee established under a framework put in place by the Irish Prime Minister. He is also a member of the International Bar Association's Investment Funds Committee and regularly attends and speaks at international conferences and other industry events.