Deborah Morowitz ’89
Global Head of Legal and Compliance
BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNP PAM) 
Paris, France

Current position
"I represent all PAM entities around the globe - NY, London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris, Sydney. I help them do different types of commercial transactions, from management agreements pursuant to which we manage institutional clients’ money to distribution agreements of mutual funds created by us under the laws of various jurisdictions."

Career path
"After law school, I joined an international law firm in NY (White & Case). After my third year, they transferred me to Paris, where I worked for three years. Just prior to the end of my three-year expatriation I started looking into in-house legal positions. I had heard that the asset management division of Paribas (a French bank) needed someone, so I contacted them. I had no asset management experience per se, but I had six years of practical corporate experience under my belt so they decided to take the chance and hired me."

Useful experiences at SUCOL and the skills gained
"Good, clear legal writing, which I think I developed when preparing my Journal note for publication and during my Teaching Assistant position my third year at SU Law. My clients now are business people who do not necessarily want to understand the legal aspects of doing a deal. Thus, I find that when I am clear and concise in my explanations (mostly written like everyone nowadays, by email or fax) we find our way to prompt agreement.

"Another great experience which clearly helped me get where I am today was the SUCOL study abroad summer in London. I was placed with a big, well-known solicitors firm (Linklaters & Paines). I had a wonderful experience as they treated me like a local trainee. Plus, when I started to interview for jobs, most people were very impressed with that ’international’ experience. Also of importance and use to me has been contracts, corporations and securities law." 

New developments or issues in this area of law
"Everyone is interested in hedge funds; even retail investors want to buy them. My job has become to help create them (in various jurisdictions, with different features). Plus, I try to help ensure that we create the right types of funds for the clients (e.g., suitability questions). Hedge funds are becoming more popular, and as they can be risky investments, regulation is increasing. It's my job to keep on top of those developments."