Professional background
I am best known for my reputation in advising on regulated funds and being a "go to" person when difficult issues arise. Having never been pigeon holed in a narrow area however, I retain an exceptional overview of the regulatory environment for asset managers and their product ranges. I continue to provide strategic advice to leading players in the marketplace, and to participate in UK regulatory developments for fund regulation.
My expertise is acknowledged by UK and international legal directories, including being named as one of the world's leading female practitioners in investment funds in EuroMoney's Women In Business Law Guide in September 2022. I am ranked as a highly regarded lawyer by IFLR 2024/2025, the Guide to the world's leading financial law firms in respect of financial services, investment funds and investment management.
I am a past Co-Chair of the International Bar Association's (IBA’s) LPD Investment Funds Committee. I was a member of the Organising Committee (and past Chair) for the IBA's Globalisation of Investment Funds Conference for many years which, in its 34th year, was held in Boston in June 2024, at which I chaired a panel on "Culture and Governance – doing the right thing!".
Other recent speaking commitments have included, for the Fund Boards Council, being a member of the panel "Exploring the role of the Depositary in supporting Fund Boards" at their Bootcamp in April 2021; for the Investment Association, being a member of the panel for their iNED Briefing: "What next for value assessments" in June 2021; and for the Funds Board Council, giving some insights leading a CEO Roundtable in March 2024.
I was a member of the FCA's Legal Experts Group on the implementation of AIFMD. Currently I am a member of the Investment Association's Legal Working Group on the Direct 2 Fund initiative. I am a Member of the Lexis PSL Financial Services Consulting Editorial Board. Also I am a co-opted member of the International Bar Association's Audit Committee (regarding investment matters).
In addition to my role as a partner at Fieldfisher LLP, I am a non-executive director of three of Columbia Threadneedle's UK OEICs and of Allianz Global Investors UK Limited.
Awards & recognition
Authored pieces
The UK's new Overseas Funds Regime Published
The UK's Overseas Fund Regime
What others say…
Kirstene is a legend in her field. She is razor sharp, very experienced and commercially minded. Kirstene is a very trusted contact and a very valuable source of knowledge when it comes to the funds world on the regulatory and legal side.
Fieldfisher maintains a broad approach to its funds work, handling the structuring and amendment of UK and foreign-domiciled funds in both the regulated and unregulated spaces. Practice head Kirstene Baillie is ‘pragmatic and to the point,’ advising on the lifecycle of funds products but with particular expertise in the UK and EU’s regulatory regimes, including AIFMD.
Kirstene Baillie is a highly experienced partner, one of my main go to people for working through difficult challenges relating to fund regulation.