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.
He has recently advised on the establishment of investment funds in Ireland by Pyramis Global Advisors, Insight Investment and Deutsche Bank. He has also advised several leading asset management firms in relation to the redomiciliation of investment funds to Ireland.
Brian is recommended by a number of leading publications and directories where comments include: "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); "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 2009, 2010, 2011, Who's Who Legal 2009, 2010 and 2011, Chambers Europe 2009, 2010, PLC Which Lawyer 2011 and The Legal 500 2008, 2009, 2010.
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.