Steve Lentz focuses on providing practical, real-world advice regarding regulatory and compliance matters to a variety of investment advisory firms, including institutional advisers and advisers to private investment funds. Steve's areas of expertise include fiduciary obligations, conflicts of interest, regulatory and other disclosures, advertising reviews, marketing and distribution practices, investment advisory agreements, and trading activity.
Steve's regulatory practice includes advising clients about SEC registrations and examinations, as well as various compliance program matters, such as the development of policies and procedures, how to conduct risk assessments, and the annual compliance program review process. Steve also counsels clients concerning new regulatory developments, including the implications of the Dodd-Frank legislation, the new "pay to play" rules and new Form ADV Part 2.
Steve's practice also includes supporting the firm's transactional lawyers in connection with adviser and fund mergers, sales and acquisitions.
In addition to these core practice areas, Steve provides training regarding advertising and marketing practices, conflicts of interest and insider trading. He is also a frequent speaker on investment management topics at national, regional and local conferences and roundtables.
Prior to joining the firm, Steve had over ten years of in-house experience. He served as a senior vice president of and general counsel to U.S. Bank N.A.'s investment management division and as chief legal officer and director of business relations with Investment Advisers, Inc., an institutional investment management firm.