Marian Fowler

Partner Investment Funds

Washington, D.C. +1 202 389 5171

Marian Fowler

Overview

Marian Fowler is a partner in the Investment Funds Regulatory Solutions Group of Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, DC. She focuses her practice on advising investment advisers to private equity funds as well as business development companies. Marian counsels clients on the full spectrum of regulatory and legal issues involved in creating an advisory business, registering with the SEC, developing compliance programs, forming funds, marketing funds, structuring complex transactions and navigating SEC examinations. With her regulatory background serving the key leaders at the SEC, Marian is uniquely suited to advise clients on policy and enforcement developments affecting the asset management industry.

Prior to joining Kirkland, Marian served as Senior Special Counsel to the Director of the Division of Investment Management at the SEC in Washington, DC. Marian advised the Division Director on all Division projects and priorities and also served as the liaison between the Division and the Chairman’s office and Commissioners’ offices. Previously, Marian was Senior Counsel in the Investment Company Rulemaking Office in the Division of Investment Management where she worked on SEC rulemakings and interpretive guidance.

Prior to joining the SEC, Marian was in private practice where she served as counsel to investment advisers, investment companies, and boards of directors.

Marian is a frequent speaker on regulatory developments in the asset management industry and a lecturer at the Howard University School of Law.

Senior Special Counsel, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 2016–2017

Senior Counsel, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 2012–2016

Associate, Ropes & Gray LLP, 2007–2012

More

Thought Leadership

Seminars

TechGC Webinar, Venture Funds Regulatory Update (May 2022)  

Private Equity International, Private Fund Compliance Fall Forum, Women’s Networking Roundtable (November 2021) 

Kirkland & Ellis, Registered Adviser Seminar and CCO Summit (2017, 2019, 2020)

Promontory Financial Group and Kirkland & Ellis, A Closer Look at the SEC’s Private Fund Examination Priorities for PE Advisers (July 2020)

Investment Advisers Association Private Equity Group Subcommittee, Exam Update, New York (September 2019)

American Investment Council Chief Compliance Officer Working Group, Boston (June 2019)

KPMG, Credit Funds – State of the Industry (May 2019)

Kirkland & Ellis – Building a BDC (June 2018)

KPMG, AI Regulatory Program (February 2018)

KPMG, Thought Leadership Forum for BDCs and Other Specialty Finance Institutions, SEC Directives and Other Regulatory Matters (October 2017)

Financial Times, Top Advisers Forum, Staying Compliant in an Ever-Shifting Landscape (October 2017)

Practising Law Institute, SEC Speaks, Investment Management Workshop (February 2017)*

Financial Markets Association, Legal & Legislative Issues Conference, SEC Division Reports (November 2016)*

*Conducted while at the SEC

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2008District of Columbia
  • 2007Massachusetts

Education

  • Georgetown University Law CenterJ.D.cum laude2004–2007

    Legal Research and Writing Fellow

  • University of California, Los AngelesM.P.P.2002–2004
  • University of OregonB.A., Political Sciencesumma cum laude1997–2001

    Phi Beta Kappa

    Presidential Scholar