James Phelan

Partner

James is a Partner in William Fry’s Asset Management & Investment Funds Department and specialises in advising asset managers in relation to the structuring, establishment, regulation, distribution and ongoing management of a wide variety of investment funds.

James has specialist experience in relation to the structuring and establishment of both physical and synthetic ETFs and has advised some of the largest ETF providers in the market on a wide variety of legal and regulatory issues pertaining to their operations.

Recently, James has been involved in advising a number of leading mutual fund managers on considerations pertaining to the expansion of their regulatory licences both to SuperManCo status (AIFM and UCITS ManCo licences combined) and to incorporate the bolt on licence for individual portfolio management. He has also managed a number of significant ‘passporting’ applications to the Central Bank of Ireland under the provisions of the UCITS Directive.

James additionally advises MiFID firms and other fund service providers in relation to regulatory matters and regularly provides fund and management company directors and senior management with advices in relation to corporate governance standards and the Central Bank of Ireland’s fitness and probity regime.

2026 Chambers Global

"James is highly responsive, approachable and always offers creative and pragmatic solutions." "James Phelan is technically strong and very reliable."

2025 Legal 500 EMEA

"James Phelan is a fantastic support to our business from a day-to-day perspective and in higher level, more strategic matters. He is extremely responsive, practical and solution orientated, and always available to engage on priority matters."

2025 Chambers Global

"James Phelan is extremely responsive and just excellent to deal with. He is very commercial in the guidance he provides."

2025 Chambers Europe

"James Phelan is extremely responsive and just excellent to deal with. He is very commercial in the guidance he provides."

2025 IFLR 1000

“James is highly responsive, has a very pragmatic approach and suggests innovative solutions to problems.” “...I would consider him to be an invaluable source of support to myself personally as well as to the business generally. James is always willing to go the extra mile for us and his advice is always sensible and on point...James has an exceptional understanding of the regulatory landscape... He has an ability to convey legal knowledge in a genuinely useful way and can make complex projects seems straightforward. James is a personable, friendly guy, as are all of his team.”

Practice Areas

Global Fund Registration Solutions

Asset Management & Investment Funds

Private Funds

Related Sectors

Financial Services

Related Knowledge

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Article and Insights

21Aug 2026

Funds Focus – August 26

August 2026 updates cover Irish, UK and EU regulatory developments for fund managers, plus a Q3 2026 tracker.

Partner

Vincent Coyne

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Article and Insights

23Jul 2026

Fund Management Company Delegation: Action Required

Fund management companies must analyse the findings in the CBI delegation feedback report and have a plan to address any deficiencies by end of 2026.

Partner

John Aherne

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Article and Insights

22Jul 2026

Funds Focus – July 26

July 2026 update: Irish and EU fund regulatory developments, including CBI UCITS changes, ESMA CSAs, delegation review, and Q3 tracker.

Partner

Vincent Coyne

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Article and Insights

13Jul 2026

New CBI UCITS Regulations

Central Bank of Ireland UCITS Regulations 2026 have been published and are in force.

Partner

Vincent Coyne

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Article and Insights

15May 2026

Funds Focus – May 26

May 2026 update highlights Irish and EU regulatory developments for fund managers, covering AIFMD II and CBI insights.

Partner

Vincent Coyne

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Article and Insights

1May 2026

Irish AIFMD II Legislation Published

The Irish legislation implementing AIFMD II changes for UCITS and AIFs has been published, effective 1 May 2026

Partner

Clodagh Ruigrok

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Article and Insights

15Apr 2026

Funds Focus – April 26

April 2026 brings regulatory and policy updates for fund managers, highlighting key 2026 deadlines, Irish and EU initiatives, and UK CCI reforms.

Partner

Vincent Coyne

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Article and Insights

12Mar 2026

Funds Focus – March 26

March 2026 brings key regulatory updates for fund managers, including major deadlines, new EU initiatives and CBI priorities.

Partner

Vincent Coyne

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Article and Insights

27Feb 2026

Central Bank 2026 Regulatory and Supervisory Outlook – Funds

On 26 February 2026, the Central Bank of Ireland (Central Bank) published its 2026 Regulatory and Supervisory Outlook (RSO) report, outlining its p...

Partner

Vincent Coyne

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Article and Insights

16Feb 2026

Asset Management & Investment Funds Update – February 2025

February 2026 updates highlight AIFMD 2.0/UCITS 6 deadlines, revised FATCA/CRS forms, new CBI consultations, and evolving cross‑border marketing an...

Partner

Vincent Coyne

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James Phelan

Ranking & Recommendations

Practice Areas

Related Sectors

Related Knowledge

Funds Focus – August 26

Fund Management Company Delegation: Action Required

Funds Focus – July 26

New CBI UCITS Regulations

Funds Focus – May 26

Irish AIFMD II Legislation Published

Funds Focus – April 26

Funds Focus – March 26

Central Bank 2026 Regulatory and Supervisory Outlook – Funds

Asset Management & Investment Funds Update – February 2025