Steve Tate is counsel in Ropes & Gray’s market-leading asset management group. A former head of legal for a global asset manager, Steve provides practical, business-oriented guidance to registered funds and investment advisers. He advises clients on a broad range of matters, including fund formation, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and complex transactions.
Over two decades at Putnam Investments (where he served as general counsel) and Franklin Templeton, Steve advised on a wide array of Investment Company Act matters, including semi-transparent and transparent ETFs, mutual fund launches, repositionings and mergers, and closed-end funds. He also has deep experience with other investment fund structures, such as collective investment trusts and UCITs, as well as with global asset management regulation and operations. Steve helped lead Putnam through its acquisition by Franklin Templeton and subsequently advised on matters related to the integration of the Putnam business.
Steve is adept at leading large legal teams and understanding the nuances and needs of in-house legal departments. Prior to rejoining Ropes & Gray, he served as deputy general counsel and company secretary for Franklin Templeton.