EB5 Investors Magazine Volume 5, Issue 2 | Page 80

TOP CORPORATE ATTORNEYS raising capital through the EB-5 program on matters of structuring, strategy, securities law and corporate law. His experience includes EB-5 offerings ranging from “direct” $500,000 raises up to complex $400 million raises and everything in between. Turner has been interviewed about the EB-5 program by various media sources and has published several articles related to EB-5. He routinely lectures at events and conferences throughout the world. Turner is a graduate of Princeton University and Georgetown University Law Center and is admitted to practice law in New York and California. CLEM G. TURNER Corporate & Securities Practice Manager Barst Mukamal & Kleiner LLP C lem Turner is a partner in the New York Office of Barst Mukamal & Kleiner LLP, where he leads the Corporate and Securities Practice. Turner has significant experience in immigration investment, crowd finance, venture capital, securities law and general business and corporate counseling. He has counseled numerous corporations and regional centers 79 EB5 INVESTORS M AGAZINE WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FUTURE OF THE EB-5 INDUSTRY LOOKS LIKE? The caliber of EB-5 offerings has steadily increased over the past five years, as word of the program has spread to reputable developers with high-quality projects. Simultaneously, the SEC and FINRA have increased their scrutiny of EB-5 offerings, helping to increase transparency of disclosure, which should lead to a more efficient worldwide market. I expect these trends to continue, providing more regulatory structure and guidance to the industry. I would like to see several proposed “Integrity” reforms become enacted, so that those EB-5 participants who currently incur additional expense implementing “best practices” are no longer at a cost disadvantage. WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY? As a result of various factors, I believe smaller regional center and direct deals are gaining traction as larger deals requiring hundreds of investors diminish. This could lead to more widespread utilization of the program, especially if the proposed reforms making rural and infrastructure projects more attractive are passed. Another emerging trend I am observing, in part likely because of increased SEC and FINRA oversight, is a rise in broker dealers, investment advisors, due diligence providers and third party fund administrators who cater to EB-5 investors and the EB-5 industry. This should benefit EB-5 investors and, ultimately, the EB-5 market.