Morrison & Foerster LLP has announced that Jay Baris has joined the firm as a Partner in its New York office and will lead the firm’s Investment Management practice. Baris represents investment companies, broker-dealers, investment advisers and other financial institutions in the full spectrum of financial services regulation. He helps clients develop new financial products. Baris counsels independent directors on governance matters and also advises mutual funds and investment advisers in mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, compliance, exemptive applications and innovative regulatory issues.

Before joining Morrison & Foerster, Baris was a partner of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP. He served as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Investment Companies and Investment Advisers from 2003-2009, and currently serves as its Vice Chair. The Subcommittee is part of the American Bar Association’s Section of Business Law Committee on Federal Regulation of Securities. Baris recently chaired the Task Force on Investment Company Use of Derivatives and Leverage.

“The addition of Jay Baris highlights the firm’s focus on investment management and Advisers Act issues and the firm’s continuing commitment to addressing regulatory matters affecting financial institutions and fund clients. Recent regulatory developments require clients to tackle new business challenges. We believe Jay will help clients address these developments,” said Keith Wetmore, Chair of the firm.