John J. O’Brien

John J. O’Brien is a Partner at Morgan Lewis, co-leader of the firm’s registered funds practice, and managing partner of the Philadelphia office. He advises asset managers on forming and distributing investment products, navigating regulatory issues, and structuring investment transactions. His work covers registered and private funds, open-end and closed-end structures, adviser regulatory matters, and exchange-traded fund authorized participant issues. His practice sits at the intersection of investment management, securities regulation, and business structuring.

John earned a J.D., cum laude, from Villanova University School of Law and an M.B.A. from Villanova University. He received a B.S. and a B.A. from the University of Illinois. His academic background spans law, business, and undergraduate study, and he now teaches as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center. He is a co-author of the Mutual Fund Regulation and Compliance Handbook, reflecting his sustained focus on investment management regulation and compliance.

John works with asset managers on the legal structure and operation of investment products. His practice includes registered and private funds, open-end and closed-end fund structures, adviser regulatory matters, and ETF authorized participant arrangements. He helps clients address regulatory requirements while designing corporate structures and transactions that support new or existing products. His work requires coordinating securities-law obligations with the commercial and operational needs of fund sponsors, investment advisers, and related financial-services participants.

John J. O’Brien is admitted in Pennsylvania and holds leadership roles within Morgan Lewis and the investment management field. Chambers USA ranked him for Registered Funds nationwide in 2026, and The Legal 500 US recommended him for mutual, registered, and exchange-traded fund formation and management from 2024 through 2026. He brings regulatory, transactional, teaching, and leadership experience to clients navigating fund formation, distribution, compliance, governance, and investment-management business decisions.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
• Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Member, Philadelphia Bar Association
• Associate, Villanova Law J. Willard O’Brien American Inn of Court (2010-2014)
• Director and Treasurer, Philadelphia VIP, Inc. (2011-2016)

Licensed State

• Pennsylvania

Education

• Villanova University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD) (Cum Laude)
• Villanova University
  Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• University of Illinois
  Bachelor of Science (BS)
• University of Illinois
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges