Murray L. Simpson

Of Counsel

Murray L. Simpson is of counsel in the Silicon Valley office and a member of our Financial Services Practice. He has more than 45 years of financial and legal experience within the global investment management community. Murray brings a wealth of experience on a variety of financial issues, including domestic and international activities of asset managers, with a particular focus on Asia.

Prior to joining O'Melveny, Murray spent several years as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Franklin Templeton Investments. In this capacity, he also maintained oversight of their joint ventures formed in Hong Kong, China, and Korea. Murray has extensive experience providing counsel on general corporate and securities matters, and in particular, the development and operation of investment trusts, both domestic and international.

Murray began his career at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 1961 as a staff attorney, and then in the private practice of law in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. For the majority of his professional career, he was principal outside counsel to Franklin Templeton Investments. He then served Franklin Templeton in various other capacities, including Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of its Hong Kong subsidiary, where he was involved in the formation of various joint ventures and the opening of several offices throughout Asia.

Professional Activities

Chairman, Investment Company Institute, International Committee (2001-2006)
Chairman and Executive Committee Member, Hong Kong Investment Funds Association (1997-1999)
Member, Unit Trust Committee to the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (1996-1999); Board of Directors (Silicon Valley Branch) for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) (2006-present) and President (2010-present)
Participant, Numerous conferences relating to investment management industry