Christopher E. Palmer

Partner Investment Funds

Washington, D.C. +1 202 389 3018

Christopher E. Palmer

Overview

Chris Palmer is an investment funds partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. For more than 30 years, Chris has worked with funds, fund sponsors and investment advisers on the creation and operation of a wide range on registered funds, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, interval funds and exchange-traded funds. He advises fund independent directors on legal, governance and industry practice issues. Chris also represents insurance companies and fund sponsors on the design, regulatory approval and operation of registered and unregistered life and annuity products, collective investment trusts and other products used in the retirement marketplace. He advises clients on regulatory, compliance and examination issues for funds, fund directors, advisers and insurance companies.

Chris is annually recognized since 2007 by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the Registered Funds category, where clients noted that he is “a class act,” “an amazing resource” and “exceptionally skillful in taking the context and making it digestible.” 

Working with funds, fund sponsors and fund independent directors on new funds (including exchange-traded, closed-end tender offer and interval funds), fund reorganizations, adviser transactions and implementing new SEC rules.

Assisting insurance companies on the launch of registered and unregistered index-linked, fixed and variable annuities and life insurance contracts.

Advising insurance companies on SEC registration requirements for life and annuity contracts used in the retirement, structured settlement and 529 plan marketplaces.

Advising fund sponsors on collective investment trust funds, including funds providing access to private market strategies.

Working with clients and the SEC staff on exemptive orders, no-action letters, registration statements and examinations.

Court Law Clerk, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, 1986–1987

Partner and Chair of Financial Services Group, Goodwin Procter LLP

Partner, Shea & Gardner

More

Thought Leadership

Chris a frequent speaker at fund and insurance products webinars and conferences. His presentations and publications include:

  • “Core Responsibilities for Fund Directors,” presentations at the Independent Directors Council annual conferences and on-demand video series, 2010–2025
  • “Funds and Advisers: Key Regulatory Developments,” presentation and outline for the annual ALI CLE Conference on Life Insurance Company Products, 2023–2025
  • “Variable Insurance Product Design,” contributing author to PLI treatise on Variable Annuities and Other Insurance Products, 2025
  • Panelist, “SEC Regulatory Outlook: rulemaking priorities, exams and ESG,” ICI Leadership Summit, May 2024
  • Co-author, “SEC Updates Regulatory Framework for Good Faith Determinations of Fair Value,” Journal of Investment Compliance, Volume 22, Issue 2, July 2021

Recognition

Chambers Global, Registered Funds in USA, 2020–2026

Chambers USA, Registered Funds, USA Nationwide, 2007–2025

The Legal 500 United States, Mutual/Registered/Exchange-Traded Funds, 2023–2025

Best Lawyers, Mutual Funds Law, 2008–2025

  • Lawyer of the Year, Mutual Funds Law, Washington, D.C., 2017, 2021, 2024

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • District of Columbia

Education

  • Georgetown University Law CenterJ.D.magna cum laude1986
    Article Editor, The Georgetown Law Journal
  • Saint John's UniversityB.A.egregia cum laude1982