LAWYER
Dan Morrissey
Counsel | Dublin
Dan Morrissey

Dan Morrissey is a counsel in Dechert's Dublin office and a member of the firm’s financial services group, with a particular focus on private funds.

Mr. Morrissey has over fourteen years’ experience in the funds industry, across multiple jurisdictions, and has advised managers and promoters in Europe, Asia and the U.S. on the structuring, formation and ongoing operation of credit funds, private equity funds, hedge funds, infrastructure / real estate funds, ‘Japanese’ unit trusts and UCITS. Mr. Morrissey also has extensive experience in advising European, Asian and North American institutional investors / private funds on their investments into (other) private funds.

Mr. Morrissey is a member of the Irish Funds ELTIF working group and advises clients on European Long Term Investment Funds.  Mr. Morrissey also has experience in advising managers (and funds) on their licensing / registration obligations, on compliance with law and regulation (including in their engagement with regulators) and in relation to the distribution of private funds across various jurisdictions.

Mr. Morrissey is recognized by The Legal 500 EMEA publication for investment funds. The guide highlights “Dechert has built an extensive presence in UCITS and is now growing its reputation in private funds; counsel Dan Morrissey was hired from Akin‘s Hong Kong office to help achieve this".

Prior to joining Dechert, Mr. Morrissey worked in the investment management group of a leading U.S. law firm (in Hong Kong), in the investment funds group of a top tier Cayman Islands law firm (in Hong Kong) and in the asset management group of a leading law firm in Ireland.

  • A European credit manager in its establishment of multiple credit funds.
  • A European investment manager in its establishment of a net zero carbon real estate fund.
  • A European investment manager of private credit fund-of-funds in its negotiations with global credit managers.
  • European, Asian and North American institutional investors and private funds on numerous investments into (other) private funds.
  • A U.K. investment manager on the overhaul of its private equity fund and its negotiations with investors.
  • A Hong Kong investment manager in its establishment of private equity funds focused on renewable energy and clean energy investments.
  • A Hong Kong investment manager in establishing a private equity fund of funds.
  • A Japanese investment manager in establishing a Japan-focused hedge fund.
  • A Hong Kong investment manager on the establishment of a multi-strategy hedge fund.
  • A Hong Kong investment manager on the overhaul of its fund platform (covering both open and closed-ended funds) and on the establishment of new single-investment closed-ended funds.
  • Asian and North American institutional investors on numerous hedge and private equity fund investments.
  • Japanese financial institutions on the structuring, establishment and ongoing operation of numerous offshore investment funds.
  • Japanese financial institutions in connection with their investments into private equity and infrastructure investments.
  • U.K. and U.S. investment managers on the structuring and establishment of Irish-domiciled UCITS and non-UCITS funds, and in obtaining regulatory approvals from the Central Bank of Ireland.

Includes matters handled at Dechert or prior to joining the firm.

  • Investment Funds - Ireland - Legal 500 EMEA 2024 
  • Investment Funds -  Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2022 “The very detailed and responsive Dan Morrissey is a stand-out lawyer with a strong understanding of hedge funds”
  • Private Credit Capital Raising in Europe Roundtable – Dechert LLP, New York, NY (October 1, 2024)
  • Key Considerations for Private Fund Structuring: Luxembourg and Ireland – Dechert, London (2024)
  • Private Funds in Ireland – A Practical Roundtable – Dechert, London (2023)
  • ELTIF 2.0: Paving the Way for U.S. Credit Managers in Europe – Dechert Webinar (2023)
  • Hong Kong Regulatory and Private Funds Update - Credit Suisse Prime Consulting Insight Series Webinar (2021)
  • Hong Kong’s Open-Ended Fund Company (OFC) v Singapore’s Variable Capital Company (VCC) Regimes - Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld’s Virtual Hong Kong Investment Funds Conference (2020)
  • An Overview of Recent EU Regulations Impacting Asian Financial Markets Participants - HFM Asia Webinar (2020)
  • Hong Kong Limited Partnership Fund Bill: A New Funds Vehicle for Asian Private Equity Fund Managers – Webinar (2020)
  • Family Reunification Applications – Worked on multiple family reunification applications for minor refugees seeking to reunite with their family in Ireland (2023 - 2024).
  • Ireland Legal Alliance Clinic - Worked with the Irish Red Cross as part of the Ukraine Ireland Legal Alliance Clinic (2022).
Services Industries
    • University College Dublin, BCL, 2007, First Class Honors
    • Ireland
    • England and Wales
    • Hong Kong
    • Irish Funds ELTIF Working Group