Gibraltar Gains Ground In Hedge Fund Industry, Says James Levy QC
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11 November, 2007 11:53
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Gibraltar is gaining an ever stronger foothold as a hedge fund domicile, according to James Levy QC of Hassans, the international law firm which pioneered Gibraltar's fund industry. Levy's remarks came as the firm announced that Robert Koller, an associate lawyer in its specialist funds department, has passed the first two levels of the exams of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association and was thus authorised to use the CAIA designation.
Founded in 2002, the Association is an independent, non-profit global organisation committed to education and professionalism in the field of alternative investments, and the CAIA designation which it sponsors certifies mastery of the concepts, tools and practices essential for understanding alternative investments as well as promoting high standards of professional conduct. The CAIA designation is the only professional charter exclusively for alternative investment practitioners and the global mark of distinction in alternative investments.
"Earning the designation demonstrates an individual's comprehensive understanding of alternative investments and the individual's commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards," a spokeperson for Hassans told VOX. And Levy added: "Having a CAIA certified lawyer in the firm proves again that Gibraltar is gaining an ever stronger foothold as a hedge fund domicile. "
Koller, who trained in Austria and Spain, practised for several years in the financial services department of a major Madrid law firm before joining the Hassans Funds Team in Gibraltar as an associate. He has extensive experience in the sphere of funds as well as in capital markets, (including derivatives, ISDA), project, corporate and asset finance. He was involved in establishing electronic trading platforms for clients and has worked in Mexico, France, Germany and the UK. He has also worked for the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Spanish Mint.
Hassans has been rated the best Gibraltar law firm by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 and its specialist Funds Department has established the majority of registered funds in Gibraltar. The firm has advised the Government of Gibraltar on the regulatory and tax treatment of investment funds and is also an active member of the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA).
"It was very important for me as a lawyer in the hedge fund world to understand what the fund managers really do, since I deal with them on a daily basis," Koller told VOX this week. "Now I can assist them not only to set-up their hedge funds in the way it best suits them, but also can help them to develop new products in the alternative investment world."
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