Delivering full-service, institutional-quality legal and regulatory support to alternative asset managers — combining big-firm expertise with boutique responsiveness.
COMMITMENT
RESPONSIBILITY
EXPERTISE
SERVICE
TRUST
ABOUT US
Florio Leahy LLP ("Florio Leahy") is a full service investment management law firm with over 100 clients in the U.S. and abroad. The top investment management law firm and extensive in-house industry experience of our professionals enables Florio Leahy to provide investment managers with timely, practical advice and hands-on assistance with a unique understanding of the real world issues facing today’s investment managers. Florio Leahy is also the firm of choice for regulatory counsel, fund formation, regulatory registration, audit assistance, internal investigations, fund document review and operational due diligence services related to investment management, private fund and other alternative investments.
Our business model is to provide extremely responsive, practical, and cost-effective expert legal services.
Partners
Gregory Florio
Co-Managing Partner
Gregory L. Florio is a Founding Partner of Florio Leahy LLP and a Founding Member of Orical LLC with over 25 years of legal and regulatory experience. Mr. Florio is an expert in investment adviser and broker/dealer compliance programs, regulatory examinations and investigations, and has extensive registration and fund formation experience with state, federal, and various international jurisdictions. Mr. Florio assists the firm’s clients on establishing compliance manuals and code of ethics, supervisory procedures and operational controls and provides independent operations reviews, compliance audits and testing. Mr. Florio also leads the firm’s technical solutions efforts designed to augment a client’s compliance and conflicts monitoring capabilities.
Prior to establishing Florio Leahy LLP in 2010, Mr. Florio was a senior counsel and the chief compliance officer of a multi-billion global fund manager, Marathon Asset Management, LP. Mr. Florio was responsible for all aspects of the firm’s global compliance program including transforming its program to a state-of-the-art, electronic based system, successfully handled all regulatory audits, inquiries, and filings, and assisted in various legal and operational matters affecting the firm’s day-to-day operations.
Prior to Marathon, Mr. Florio served as a regulatory specialist in the Investment Management division of Seward & Kissel LLP and was an attorney in the Investment Funds Group of Sidley Austin LLP, where he represented various leading financial institutions, assisted in hundreds of investment adviser and broker-dealer registrations, and advised private funds on all aspects of compliance, legal, regulatory, formation and operational matters. Mr. Florio began his career as an Assistant District Attorney for the County of the Bronx, NY.
Mr. Florio graduated with honors from Fordham University School of Law in 1995 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Consumer Economics from Cornell University. Mr. Florio is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
James Leahy
Co-Managing Partner
James Leahy is a Partner of Florio Leahy LLP and a Member of Orical LLC with over 30 years of finance, operations, and legal experience. Prior to joining these firms in 2013, Mr. Leahy served as chief financial officer of Marathon Asset Management, LP where he managed a team of approximately thirty professionals responsible for the firm’s tax, accounting and operations functions across multiple business lines. Mr. Leahy was responsible for, among other things, monitoring the firm’s cash and PnL as well as the firm’s financing lines and relations with external service providers such as: prime brokers, accountants and fund administrators. Mr. Leahy met regularly with investors as part of their due diligence process. He also met with the Board of Directors and served on several committees, including Conflicts, Trade Allocation, Expense Allocation and Best Execution.
Prior to Marathon, Mr. Leahy was a vice president, senior credit officer and team leader at Moody’s Investors Service and was also a member of the CDO team. Mr. Leahy helped found the Hedge Fund Operations Quality business where his group was responsible for assigning Operational Quality Ratings to hedge funds.
Prior to Moody’s, Mr. Leahy was a lawyer at Skadden Arps and Milbank Tweed in New York City. His legal practice involved corporate, securities and financing transactions. He also has extensive experience with structured finance transactions including CLOs.
Prior to practicing law, Mr. Leahy was a surface warfare officer in the United States Navy. He served aboard three warships and taught at the Navy’s Gas Turbine Engineering School in Newport, Rhode Island.
Mr. Leahy holds an honors law degree from Boston College Law School and an undergraduate degree in English from Dartmouth College. Mr. Leahy is a member of the Bar in New York and Massachusetts.
Vanessa Sasson
Partner
Vanessa Sasson is a Partner of Florio Leahy LLP. Her practice focuses on advising alternative asset managers on a broad range of legal and regulatory matters relating to their investment management businesses, including: adviser structuring, registration, and governance; private fund formation and fundraising; SEC and CFTC examinations and investigations; various transactional matters; and Investment Advisers Act compliance programs and their practical effect on day-to-day operations. She has experience representing both emerging and established managers, each implementing a variety of investment strategies and structures, including hedge funds, private equity funds, private credit funds, venture capital funds, funds of funds, and real estate funds. Vanessa also works with institutional investors and family offices to conduct due diligence on and negotiate private fund investment opportunities.
Vanessa has been instrumental in the success of our firm's diverse client base, with her unwavering dedication since she joined us in 2014. She fosters long-lasting and meaningful relationships with clients, distinguishing herself through exceptional legal skills, outstanding client service and efficient problem-solving.
Vanessa received her J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law in 2014 and her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Miami in 2011. She is admitted to practice law in New York.
Attorneys
Nico Denise
Legal Associate
Nico Denise is a Legal Associate at Florio Leahy LLP. He has broad experience serving as fund counsel to investment managers across a range of investment strategies, fund structures and asset sizes, including managers of hedge funds, private equity and private credit funds and venture capital funds. He advises clients throughout the fund lifecycle, from initial structuring and formation through fundraising and ongoing fund management, providing practical guidance on legal, regulatory and transactional matters. He also drafts and negotiates investment management agreements for proprietary trading firms and other investment managers, tailoring terms to clients’ trading strategies and commercial objectives. His work emphasizes clear drafting and actionable advice, translating complex legal and regulatory issues into guidance that clients can readily understand and implement.
Nico’s practice also includes structuring and registering investment advisers, advising on governance matters, and assisting clients with SEC examinations. He develops compliance programs and counsels clients on their obligations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, helping managers apply regulatory requirements to the day-to-day operation of their businesses.
Prior to joining Florio Leahy LLP in August 2021, Nico served as a Judicial Fellow to the Honorable Claire C. Cecchi of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. During law school, Nico served as an Honors Legal Intern in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement and in the Office of General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Defense.
Nico received a J.D., cum laude, from Fordham University School of Law in 2020, with a concentration in Business and Financial Law, and served as Notes and Articles Editor of the Fordham Journal of Corporate & Financial Law. Nico received a B.A., magna cum laude, in Law and Society from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2017. Nico is admitted to practice law in New York.
Hannah Shpeen
Legal Associate
Hannah Shpeen is a Legal Associate at Florio Leahy LLP. Her practice focuses on advising alternative asset managers on a broad range of legal and regulatory matters relating to their investment management businesses, including adviser formation, structuring and registration; private fund formation and fundraising; SEC regulatory filings, examinations, investigations, and other inquiries; contractual and transactional matters; and Investment Advisers Act compliance programs and their practical application to day-to-day operations. Hannah works with both emerging and established managers across a variety of investment strategies and structures, including hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds and private credit funds. Hannah has substantial experience representing investment managers in SEC investigations, managing responses to subpoenas and regulatory inquiries, and developing strategies that strive to resolve matters without enforcement action.
During her five years with the firm, Hannah has built meaningful, long-term client relationships through responsive service, sound judgment and a practical approach to problem-solving. She works closely with clients to develop a thorough understanding of their businesses, investment strategies and operational considerations, allowing her to identify and address legal and regulatory issues in a manner tailored to their specific circumstances. Recognizing that complex situations do not always lend themselves to conventional solutions, Hannah brings a thoughtful and adaptable approach to navigating unique challenges, balancing regulatory requirements with commercial and operational realities. Her emphasis on clear communication and actionable guidance enables clients to make informed decisions as their businesses evolve.
Hannah received her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2020 and her B.A. in Business Administration, cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2017. She is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida.
Danielle Tuluca
Legal Associate
Danielle Tuluca is a Legal Associate at Florio Leahy LLP. She advises investment managers on regulatory and compliance matters throughout the development of their businesses, from formation and SEC registration to ongoing compliance with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Her practice includes preparing and coordinating Form ADV filings and amendments. She also advises on the application of the SEC Marketing Rule, including reviewing marketing materials, performance presentations and investor communications, and developing policies and procedures to support compliance. Danielle has extensive experience guiding investment advisers through SEC examinations, working with SEC regional offices and private funds examination units on document requests, examination responses and the resolution of identified deficiencies. She also leads mock SEC examinations, helping advisers evaluate their compliance programs, identify potential deficiencies and prepare for regulatory scrutiny.
Danielle also provides legal advice to investment managers, proprietary trading firms and investment clubs, on governance and other ongoing legal matters. Her work includes drafting private fund offering documents, conducting legal due diligence on private funds on behalf of institutional investors, and advising on specialized projects requiring guidance tailored to clients’ investment structures and business needs.
Danielle received her J.D. from the Cardozo School of Law in 2020 and her B.A., magna cum laude, from The George Washington University in 2017. She is admitted to practice law in New York.
Simran Ahuja
Legal Associate
Simran Ahuja is a Legal Associate at Florio Leahy LLP. Her regulatory practice encompasses adviser registration, ongoing reporting obligations, marketing compliance and examination preparedness for alternative investment managers. She prepares and coordinates Form ADV filings and amendments, filings under Sections 13 and 16 of the Securities Exchange Act, Form D filings and state Blue Sky notice filings, helping managers navigate their reporting obligations as their businesses evolve. She advises on the application of the SEC Marketing Rule, including reviewing marketing materials, performance presentations and investor communications, and developing policies and procedures to support compliance. Simran also leads mock SEC examinations, helping managers assess their compliance programs, identify potential deficiencies and prepare for regulatory scrutiny, and guides clients through SEC examinations with a practical understanding of how regulatory requirements apply to their operations.
Simran also advises alternative investment managers on a broad range of corporate and contractual matters arising in the formation and day-to-day operation of their investment management businesses. Her corporate practice includes drafting, reviewing and negotiating nondisclosure agreements, service provider agreements, investment management agreements and other commercial contracts; preparing governance documents; and advising on ongoing corporate matters. She also conducts legal due diligence on private funds on behalf of institutional investors.
Previously, Simran served as a Compliance Associate at Orical, where she advised investment managers on regulatory obligations and compliance programs. She continues to work closely with the Orical team on compliance matters, drawing on that experience to provide coordinated legal and regulatory guidance.
Simran holds an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. LL.B. (J.D. equivalent) from Symbiosis International University. She is admitted to practice law in New York.
Brianna Fradin
Law Clerk
Brianna Fradin is a Law Clerk at Florio Leahy LLP. She joined the firm in September 2026 after previously serving as a legal intern during law school. Her work focuses primarily on the firm’s investment adviser regulatory practice, including ongoing compliance matters, regulatory filings, and the development and implementation of compliance policies and procedures. She also supports the firm’s corporate practice through drafting and reviewing nondisclosure agreements, assisting with entity and private fund formation, and addressing other general corporate matters.
Brianna’s prior experience includes a judicial internship with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Brianna received her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in 2026 and her B.A. in Cognitive Science, with distinction, from the University of Michigan in 2023. While at Fordham, she competed on the Dispute Resolution Society’s negotiation and mediation teams and won the NYSBA Best Mediation Statement Award. She also received the Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award and was a member of the Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal.
Brianna sat for the July 2026 New York Bar Examination and is awaiting results.
Professional Leadership
Mekyas Moges joined Florio Leahy in 2017 and is the Chief Operating Officer, where he leads firm-wide efforts to maintain a strong culture of compliance and ensure adherence to the Investment Advisers Act. He oversees the design and execution of compliance policies, risk assessments, and training programs, as well as quarterly and annual reviews. Mekyas also drives the development of proprietary compliance technology and regulatory filing tools to enhance operational efficiency and regulatory readiness.
A graduate of New York University Stern School of Business, Mekyas began his career at Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP.
Mekyas Moges
Chief Operating Officer
Nicole Amitrano
Director of Operations
Nicole Amitrano joined Florio Leahy in 2015 as the Office Manager, Nicole has been a cornerstone of the firm's daily operations, providing critical support to its associates and partners. With over fifteen years of experience in administrative roles within the legal industry, Nicole now serves as the Director of Operations, overseeing a wide range of functions essential to the firm’s success. In addition to her leadership in administrative and operational management, she plays a key role in the firm’s financial health - handling accounting, managing billing processes, and ensuring that day-to-day business operations run efficiently and accurately. Her attention to detail and dedication make her an indispensable part of the Orical team.
Nicole graduated from Mount Saint Mary College with a B.A. in Psychology.
Michael Makovoz
Chief Technology Officer
Michael Makovoz is a Member of Florio Leahy with over 26 years of technology experience. His expertise includes design of the high performance and high throughput data processing engines, trading systems, cloud and blockchain development, and AI innovation. Michael is leading the firm’s technology and modernization strategy.
Prior to joining Florio Leahy, Michael was a Chief Technology Officer and Lead Data Scientist at NYC Cyber Command. As one of the founding members of the newly created NYC government agency, Michael was responsible for the development of the city-wide cybersecurity collection and processing data pipeline as well as adaptation of AI and cloud-first practices. Prior to NYC Cyber Command, Michael was leading Equity Program Trading Technology at JPMorgan, Chase and Barclays Capital where he had chance to re-design and modernize the legacy trading systems and applications.
Michael holds PhD in Computer Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University and Master’s degree in Quantitative Risk Management from NYU.
Mike Norris
Director of Information Security
Mike Norris joined the Florio Leahy team in 2017 and plays an integral role in the Information Security and Software Operations for the firm. Mike is a valued partner across all areas of the business, providing cross functional leadership by working with clients and business unit leaders. Prior to Orical, Mike was an Assistant Vice President responsible for Life Cycle Management and Governance of electronic and physical records at MBIA, Inc. where he worked for 21 years. His professional strengths include IT Security Governance, Project Management, Risk Management, Strategic Planning, Budget and Cost Control, SOX Compliance, Change Management, Vendor Negotiations, Vulnerability Management, Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity, System Integration, Technology Deployment and Customer Relationship Management.
Mike is a graduate of Manhattanville College where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management.
CONTACT
FLORIO LEAHY
OUR ADDRESS
641 Lexington Avenue
17th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Tel: 212.257.5790
Fax: 212.257.5788
Email: info@florioleahy.com
For any general inquiries, please email info@florioleahy.com.
