K&L Gates Advises First Sentier Investors on the Launch of First ETF Product

Global law firm K&L Gates has advised global asset manager First Sentier Investors on the launch of its first exchange-traded fund (ETF) product, First Sentier Geared Australian Share Fund Complex ETF, on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

First Sentier Investors, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, currently manages more than AU$208 billion for investors globally. The new ETF will offer investors additional access to the existing First Sentier Geared Australian Share Fund through an ASX-quoted structure. The Fund was launched in 2023 and has been actively managed since its inception.

Units in First Sentier Geared Australian Share Fund Complex ETF commenced trading on the ASX on 15 May under the ticker symbol “LEVR”.

The K&L Gates team was led by Sydney-based Asset Management and Investment Funds partners Matthew Watts and Lisa Lautier, supported by Tax partner Stuart Broadfoot and Corporate partner James Lonie.

Rebecca Paton, Product Director (Australia) at First Sentier Investors, said: “We’re excited to launch LEVR, our first Australian ETF, and offer investors additional ways to access our active investment approach via this structure. We are especially grateful to the dedicated team at K&L Gates for their support and technical guidance throughout the process.”

Watts stated: “We congratulate First Sentier Investors on this milestone transaction and hope their new dual-access ETF allows them to capitalise on the growing demand for active ETF strategies in Australia.”

Lautier stated: "We enjoyed working with the experienced teams across First Sentier Investors, with their in-depth knowledge of the Australian market and product structures and commitment to delivering growth to their clients."

K&L Gates’ Asset Management and Investment Funds practice is one of the largest and most experienced asset management legal teams. We provide bespoke legal services and practical advice across jurisdictions, with in-depth understanding of our clients’ business, risk tolerance, and legal expectations.