Wealth veteran takes top advisory role at finserv-specialist law firm

Hamilton Blackstone Lawyers (HBL), an Australian law firm specialising in financial services and advice cases, has appointed a wealth industry veteran to its recently established advisory board.

Matt Fogarty, who joined HBL in September in a consultant role, has been formally appointed to the firm’s advisory board as its inaugural expert representative.

Fogarty will provide subject matter expertise and expert input on the firm’s client engagements and service delivery, as well as key input on specialist projects.

The law firm said the creation of the expert rep role comes in response to rising demand from Australian Financial Services Licensees (AFSLs) and advice businesses for legal expertise, particularly in response to increased regulatory surveillance, monitoring and activity post-Hayne Royal Commission.

Fogarty was most recently head of private wealth at Kelly+Partners Chartered Accountants, serving for just over a year and a half, and prior to this was chief executive at Sydney-headquartered national advisory and wealth management firm at Fitzpatricks Private Wealth for more than four years.

Over his nearly 25-year career in financial services, Fogarty has also held senior roles at MLC, ipac and Genesys Wealth Advisers and financial services consultancy The Encore Group, of which he was founding partner and director.

He has also been acknowledged for his active role in the development of industry representative body the Licensee Leadership Forum, a collaborative network and policy advocacy group for AFSL executives from licensee firms.

Hamilton Blackstone managing director Cristean Yazbeck recognised Fogarty as the “ideal person to help us continue enhancing our services and build relationships” in the regulatory advice and support space.

Yazbeck further acknowledged Fogarty as a “highly respected and experienced industry advocate who understands the practical implication of regulatory change on licensees and advice businesses.

“[This] makes him an invaluable consultant and member of our advisory board.”

Established in 2016, Hamilton Blackstone Lawyers specialises in compliance and mediation for financial services firms.

Its clients include licensees, advice businesses, and private wealth firms, particularly in defence against actions by corporate and financial services regulator ASIC.