Jessica Reed

Partner

Jessica is an experienced financial services and funds lawyer. She advises a wide range of clients including asset managers, wealth managers, private banks, international financial institutions and charitable institutions on the full spectrum of contractual, transactional and regulatory issues.

Since joining Farrer & Co in 2012, Jessica’s work has focused on firms providing services to high-net-worth individuals (particularly wealth managers and private banks) and on regulated funds. Jessica has undertaken several secondments to a well-known UK wealth manager, giving her an invaluable insight into the unique issues faced by such institutions. She also regularly advises asset managers on UK authorised fund structures and charitable fund structures.

Jessica has recently been advising clients extensively on ESG regulation, including SFDR, UK SDR and TCFD reporting obligations. She is a thought leader in this sphere and has led a number of industry group roundtables.

A thoughtful and highly technical lawyer, Jessica has an open and collaborative approach which is valued by her clients and colleagues.

Jessica qualified as a solicitor in 2011.

Expertise

Private Banks

Jessica regularly advises wealth managers and private banks on conduct of business and contractual issues. Jessica drafts complex client-facing documentation such as terms of business as well as b2b contracts, particularly those necessary for platform relationships. Jessica enjoys helping her clients to navigate new regulatory requirements. She has recently been advising extensively on new Consumer Duty and the promotion of high-risk investments.

Investment Funds

Jessica regularly advises on UK authorised fund structures and has a wealth of experience in authorised fund set-up, amendments, mergers and terminations and master-feeder structures as well as queries involving cross-border issues. In the private funds sphere, Jessica regularly acts for fund buyers, assisting with fund due diligence and negotiation of bespoke side letter provisions.

Charities

Jessica has a particular interest in charitable fund structures and charity compliance. She regularly assists endowments and foundations with investment matters including negotiation of investment management agreements, drafting of investment policy statements and investment due diligence. Jessica recently undertook a large restructuring for a £3bn charitable fund involving the implementation of a charitable unit trust master-feeder structure. She also helps charitable institutions understand their obligations under UK financial regulatory law and international compliance issues such as FATCA and the Common Reporting Standard.

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