Cleveland & Co

Cleveland & Co is an award-winning alternative law firm redefining how legal services are delivered to the investment management sector. We are the creators of the External In-House Counsel® model, offering clients the commercial integration of an in-house legal team with the breadth, technical strength, and agility of a global external advisor. Founded in 2012 by Emma Cleveland, Cleveland & Co is a women-led, internationally recognised legal partner to the world’s leading asset managers, pension funds, institutional investors, wealth platforms, insurers, and fintech. With jurisdictions across UK, EMEA, APAC, and the US, our team operates across borders, sectors, and asset classes. Today, we support over 200 clients with a combined AUM exceeding £9 trillion We are committed to delivering world-class legal advice with the highest levels of responsiveness, commercial awareness, and cultural alignment. Our approach prioritises trust, clarity, and technical excellence, making us the legal team clients turn to when they need depth, speed, and strategic insight. As a values-led firm, we champion diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and modern working practices. Our team includes some of the industry’s most experienced and respected legal professionals, united by a shared purpose to elevate legal partnership in financial services. We are proud to be recognised across the legal and financial services industries for our innovation and impact. Awards Trusted legal partner to 25% of the UK’s top 20 asset managers and 35% of global top 20 asset managers Strategic Legal Operations Team of the Year— Finalist,The British Legal Awards 2023 Championing Diversity in Innovation– Finalist, Legal Innovation Awards 2023 Boutique Law Firm of the Year– Finalist, The British Legal Awards 2022 FT Index of Top Innovative Law Firms in Europe- Shortlisted 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Award– Finalist, Modern Law Awards 2022 Boutique Law Firm of the Year– Finalist, The British Legal Awards 2021