David advises on all aspects of financial services law and regulation.

David’s practice areas of special interest include investment funds and capital markets. David's clients include investment managers, custodian banks, fund administrators and investors.

David has particular expertise in the alternative investments area, including real estate and private equity. He has established a number of structures investing in US Life Settlements both as regulated funds and as unregulated SPVs.

He advises on compliance with obligations under MiFID and AIFMD and has represented firms who are the subject of regulatory investigations. 

David began his career with a leading London law firm before relocating to Ireland in 1992 where he continued his career as in-house counsel with Chase Manhattan Bank (now JP Morgan), before joining LK Shields.

Experience

  • Adviser to a large number of financial services providers, including compliance with MiFID (Markets in Financial Services Directive) and AIFMD (Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive).
  • Clients include banks, wealth managers, real estate managers, depositaries and fund administrators.
  • Advises on the legal and regulatory aspects of all financial services activities and products which are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
  • Represents fund promoters and investment managers on the setting up and structuring of both regulated and unregulated funds, including UCITS and AIFs.
  • An expert on real estate fund structures having established a number of Qualifying Investor Alternative Investment Funds (QIAIFs) to hold portfolios of Irish and UK properties.
  • Advised on a number of fund restructurings involving the migration of existing fund structures to and from the Irish jurisdiction.
  • Acts as adviser to some of the largest fund administrators and custodians operating in the Irish market.
  • Represents originators and investment managers on the establishment of securitisation vehicles or other special purpose companies used for the issuing of debt instruments.
  • Expertise extends to all asset classes, including private equity, loans and real estate. Particular expertise in the structuring of funds investing in Life Settlements.
  • Represented Irish securitisation vehicles in connection with the assignment of claims against a number of investment banks, arising from missold investments in US mortgage backed securities.

Related Practice Areas

More about David Williams

Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Capital Markets and Investment Funds.

Legal 500 2023
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Investment Funds.

Chambers Europe 2023
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Investment Funds.

Chambers Global 2023
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Capital Markets and Investment Funds.

Legal 500 2022
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Investment Funds.

Chambers Global 2022
Awards &
Recommendations

"David Williams has been our lead partner – he is very good." Recommended for Investment Funds and Capital Markets.

Legal 500 2021
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Investment Funds.

Chambers Europe 2021
Awards &
Recommendations

Clients describe him as "a good problem solver and negotiator."

Chambers Global 2021
Awards &
Recommendations

'David Williams executed the mandate very efficiently.' Recommended for Capital Markets.

Legal 500 2020
Awards &
Recommendations

'David Williams assists in finding a way forward rather than reasons why not.' Recommended for Investment Funds.

Legal 500 2020
Awards &
Recommendations

Praised for "his commercial approach and his ability to navigate difficult situations." Recommended for Investment Funds/Financial Services.

Chambers Europe 2020
Awards &
Recommendations

"He is proactive and forthcoming in that he will tell us where there are potential problems." Recommended for Investment Funds.

Chambers Global 2020
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Capital Markets and Investment Funds.

Legal 500 2019
Awards &
Recommendations

Clients describe him as "very nice to work with." Recommended for Investment Funds.

Chambers Europe 2019
Awards &
Recommendations

Ranked as 'Highly Regarded' lawyer for Capital Markets and Financial Services Regulatory

IFLR1000 2018
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Private Funds

Who's Who Legal 2018
Awards &
Recommendations

David Williams ‘communicates real-world solutions in advancement of a client’s business objectives’. Recommended for Capital Markets and Investment Funds.

Legal 500 2018
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Investment Funds.

Chambers Europe 2018
Awards &
Recommendations

"An excellent listener with the ability to get to the crux of any issue and give sound advice."

Chambers Global 2018
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Investment Funds.

Chambers Europe 2017
Awards &
Recommendations

"Intelligent and knowledgeable", "The level of attention he gave was outstanding".

Chambers Global 2017
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Capital Markets and Financial Services Regulatory.

IFLR1000 2017
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Investment Funds.

Chambers Europe 2016
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Investment Funds.

Legal 500 2016
Awards &
Recommendations

David Williams "has vast knowledge and is always aware of everything that is going on, providing a really watchful brief and offering great vision to help his clients". Recommended for Investment Funds/Financial Services.

Chambers Global 2016
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Capital Markets and Investment Funds.

IFLR1000 2016
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Investment Funds.

Chambers Europe 2015
Awards &
Recommendations

David Williams is described as ‘experienced and knowledgeable’ and provides ‘well-researched advice with a smile’.

Legal 500 2015
Awards &
Recommendations

David Williams is highly commended for his "calm and pragmatic" approach to investment fund cases.

Chambers Global 2015
Awards &
Recommendations

Recognised as a Leading Lawyer.

IFLR1000 2015
Awards &
Recommendations

Recommended for Financial Services.

IFLR1000 2015
Awards &
Recommendations

David Williams very hands-on and with you every step of the way, according to clients.

Chambers Europe 2014
Awards &
Recommendations

David Williams is responsive and knowledgeable and provides a high level of service.

Legal 500 2014
Awards &
Recommendations

Really experienced and knows how to clear something with the Regulator.

Chambers Global 2014
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  • Admitted as a Solicitor in Ireland
    Law Society of Ireland
    1991
  • Admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales (Non-Practising)
    Law Society of England & Wales
    1988
  • Bachelor of Law
    University of Manchester
    1985
  • Member of the Irish Funds Industry Association

  • Member of the Legal and Regulatory Committee of the Irish Fund Industry Association

  • Lecturer on Investment Funds for the Law Society of Ireland

  • Member of the Monterey Funds Club

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