Michael Barr is a Partner in A&L Goodbody's Asset Management & Investment Funds Group and focuses on various aspects of mutual funds law and regulation and on the establishment, authorisation and listing of funds in Ireland. He is currently involved in advising clients on all aspects of both the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive and UCITS V as well as related issues.
Michael advises on the setting-up of various types of UCITS and Irish alternative investment funds. He has also set up various unregulated structures and works with fund service providers in connection with custody, administration, prime brokerage and other service agreements.
Areas of Expertise
Asset Management & Investment Funds/Financial Solutions/Regulatory Risk & Investigations/Commercial Property/Corporate Secretarial Services (Funds/Asset Management)
Experience Advising:
- Oaktree Capital on the establishment of Targeted Investment Opportunities ICAV focused on investment in Irish real estate and its subsequent conversion to an ICAV.
- Prudential South Africa on the establishment of a RIAIF ICAV platform with eight sub-funds and the establishment and set up of an AIFM which acts as such to the RIAIF ICAV.
- Hibernia REIT on all Irish asset management and regulatory aspects of its launch and on its internalisation project whereby it became its own AIFM.
- Prudential M&G in respect of its loan fund platforms, including investment companies, a CCF and a unit trust – all with multiple sub-funds.
- Blackstone on the operation of Irish QIAIF unit trusts used to hold Irish property assets.
- Aviva Investors in respect of it UCITS money market fund range.
- Carysfort Capital and a US private equity investor on the set up of an Irish QIAIF to invest in Irish property transactions.
- Goodbody Fund Management Limited on its authorisation as a UCITS management company, making it a ‘Super ManCo’ .
- Majedie Asset Management in respect of its UCITS fund.
- LBBW Asset Management in respect of the authorisation of the first Irish platinum and palladium fund.
Market Recommendations
“Professional, responsive and fantastic technical knowledge and experience evident with every engagement.” (IFLR1000 2021)
"A strong communicator who is up to date in his sectors and always available to assist on short notice." (Legal 500 2020)
"He is exceptionally knowledgeable. It is obvious that he has done what we are asking him to do many times; he is able to guide us through the whole process well." (Chambers Europe 2020)
"Absolutely brilliant, hard-working and trustworthy." (Chambers Europe 2016)
Professional activities
Michael was elected to the governing Council of Irish Funds (the industry representative body) in 2019 following a vote of industry participants and he has been published on a number of legal topics.
Education
- Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland
- BCL, University College Dublin
Michael Barr
Partner, Asset Management & Investment Funds
Dublin