Bert Stemmler is an experienced corporate attorney who advises private investment funds and their managers on formation, operation and compliance matters. He also serves as outside general counsel to businesses, addressing a wide range of corporate legal needs.

Bert's practice includes registering investment advisers with the SEC and state authorities and identifying exemptions such as exempt reporting adviser status.  

He advises U.S. and non-U.S. investment professionals, family offices, real estate firms, venture capital firms, private equity firms, hedge fund managers and digital asset managers on all aspects of Investment Advisers Act compliance, including:

  • the Marketing Rule
  • Examinations
  • Custody
  • Fees
  • Investor Qualification Requirements
  • Form ADV

Bert has extensive experience in the crypto and digital assets space, having previously served as Head of Legal and Compliance at Open Web Collective, a VC fund manager and accelerator for crypto startups. He counsels clients on the legal and regulatory challenges associated with digital assets and cryptocurrency investments and strategies.

Bert is dedicated to helping clients navigate the evolving regulatory landscape for private funds and their sponsors and is passionate about integrating new aspects of innovation and technology into his practice.

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Education

  • New York University School of Law (LL.M. - Tax, 2008)
    • Cardozo School of Law (J.D., 2007)
      • Vanderbilt University (B.S., 2003)
        • Psychology

      Bar Admission

      • New York
      • Tennessee

      Professional Affiliations

      • International Bar Association
        • Asset Management and Investment Funds Committee
      • American Bar Association
        • Federal Regulation of Securities Committee
          • Private Funds Subcommittee
      • New York State Bar Association
        • Securities Regulation Committee
          • Private Investment Funds Subcommittee
      • New York City Bar Association
      • Tennessee Bar Association
      • Nashville Bar Association

      Recognition

      • Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® for Corporate Law, 2025-2026
      Publications
      All Publications
      Navigating California’s New Venture Capital Reporting Framework Beginning March 1, 2026
      Update: The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) has announced a suspension of the requirement for covered entities to submit registrations or file reports under the Fair Investment Practices by Venture Capital Companies Law (FIPVCC). Venture capital companies are no longer required to make filings by the April 1, 2026, deadline. Instead, DFPI announced that it will initiate a formal rulemaking process surrounding the law. Before formally drafting rules, DFPI intends to seek input from venture capital companies, industry associations, founders, investors and other stakeholders. Once the formal rulemaking process starts, it must be completed within a year. At a minimum, this means the registration and filing process is being postponed by at least a few months (and more likely over
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      SEC and CFTC Further Delay Form PF Compliance Date to October 1, 2025
      On June 11, 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have once again delayed the compliance date for the amendments to Form PF, moving it to October 1, 2025. This latest extension, detailed in SEC Release No. IA-6883, provides private fund advisers with additional time to prepare for the expanded reporting requirements. The extension also highlights the various approaches and personalities now leading the SEC. Amendment and Previous Extension: The amendments to Form PF, jointly adopted by the SEC and CFTC on February 8, 2024 (Release No. IA-6546), were originally set to become effective on March 12, 2025. These amendments introduced substantial changes to the information required from private fund advisers, including more
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