Brokers

We advise on a broad range of broker-dealer relationships and structures in a range of financial services sectors including insurance brokers and intermediaries, investment advisers, stockbrokers, prime and introducing brokers and broker-dealer affiliates on an international and national basis.

In the insurance sector, we have a particular appreciation and experience of the day-to-day operations of insurance brokers given our experience advising Steadfast Group and Marsh. We have a deep understanding of the various business structures and framework in which brokers operate, the challenges broking businesses face, and the overarching regulatory environment and risk management strategies to address regulatory and legal obligations.

We help clients create partnerships and provide financial services while navigating the myriad of market and financial services sector regulations and rules. We assist clients with the preparation and review of employment contracts and policies and in preparing and enforcing post-employment restraint objectives. We also provide specialist legal services to diversified financial services businesses with investment management and brokerage as a component of their business.

In addition to the insurance sector we advise financial services dealers, brokers, intermediaries and participants in the investment management, hedge funds, securities, futures and derivatives industries, some of which are among the most heavily regulated businesses.

Key services

  • Advising on formation, registration, broking – dealer status and continuing membership
  • Business structuring advice, M&A and due diligence
  • Drafting shareholder agreements/share purchase/buy sell/option agreements/ and providing business succession planning advice
  • Advising on distribution channels, intermediary arrangements and service provider agreements
  • Advising on and drafting authorised representative, intermediary, dealer binder agreements
  • Advising on client account, client moneys and Anti-Money Laundering requirements
  • Clearing advice – prime broker and settlement
  • Electronic Trading Systems and facilities advice
  • Review and enforcement of post-employment restraint objectives
  • Employment advice, contracts, contractor agreements
  • Intellectual property advice
  • Defending commercial disputes
  • Managing policy coverage disputes
  • AFS Licensing, disclosure and remuneration regulatory and compliance advice
  • Financial product design advice
  • Advice on information and data protection and customer ownership
  • Managing clearance, prime broker and settlement issues