James A. Deeken is a partner in the firm’s investment funds and private equity practice. His practice focuses primarily on matters related to the representation of private fund managers in fund formation activities and in the representation of investment funds engaged in business transactions.

Practice & Background

Mr. Deeken works with fund clients in both their fund formation and subsequent transactional activity, which allows him to work closely with clients for several years over the life cycle of their funds or investment vehicles.

Mr. Deeken currently serves as a vice chairman of the Texas State Bar Venture Capital and Private Equity Committee and as chairman of its Subcommittee on Private Equity.

Mr. Deeken is a recipient of the firm’s Dallas Office Pro Bono Partner of the Year Award for 2009, awarded for his advice rendered in connection with private equity funding activities for the world’s first socially focused, microinsurance fund. He is also a recipient of an “& Feld Award” awarded by the firm in 2009 for exceptional client service. Mr. Deeken is the recipient of the 2010 Partner Recognition Award for the firm’s Dallas office, awarded by the office’s associate and counsel committee, for contributions to the mentoring and professional development of associates and counsel.

Mr. Deeken received his B.A. in economics in 1993 and his J.D. in 1999 from Vanderbilt University. Prior to entering law school, Mr. Deeken was a bond trader at a commercial bank in Kansas City, Missouri.
Representative Matters

Mr. Deeken’s recent engagements include representation of clients in:
Investment Fund Transactions



forming private equity funds, venture capital funds, real estate funds, fund of funds, hedge funds, single investor funds, managed accounts, co-investment partnerships and special purpose vehicles
making investments in private investment funds
acquiring investment advisors and otherwise transferring controlling interests and assigning investment management agreements and relationships
establishing investment management entities, carried interest vehicles and employee participation partnerships
complying with securities laws and regulations.

Mergers, Acquisitions and Investment Transactions



consummation of venture capital investments and other purchases of controlling or noncontrolling interests in emerging-growth and technology-related companies
pursuit of a number of business combinations involving private targets
transactions involving the television broadcasting industry
transactions involving blank-check companies.

Community Involvement

Mr. Deeken’s community, civic and charitable activities include:

current and past service on a number of boards and committees for nonprofit organizations involved with nature and wilderness preservation in Dallas County, Texas, including a past appointment by the Dallas County Commissioners Court to the Dallas County Trails and Preserves Board
being a 2012 participant in, and graduate of, the Dallas Regional Chamber’s Leadership Dallas program and a 2011 participant in, and graduate of, the Business Council for the Arts’ Leadership Arts program.

Speaking Engagements

Selected speaking engagements include:

Issues to Consider when Investing in the United States, Presentation to the U.S.-China Investment Conference, April 28, 2012
How Dodd Frank is Changing the World of Private Equity & Venture Capital Transactions & Fundraising, Texas State Bar CLE Presentation, June 16, 2011
Structuring Private Equity Investment Vehicles for Small Investor Groups, University of Texas School of Law 33rd Annual Conference on Securities Regulation and Business Law, February 20, 2011
After The Apocalypse: A Discussion Of The Great Recession’s Impact On Venture Capital, Private Equity and M&A, Texas State Bar CLE Presentation, April 20, 2010
Issues When Representing a Minority Investor: From Stockholders Agreements to Co-Investment Partnerships and Everything In-between, Texas State Bar CLE Presentation, April 20, 2010
Private Equity Funds: Terms and Provisions, Texas State Bar CLE Presentation Presenter, October 8, 2008
Structuring Private Equity Transactions, Morgan Stanley Plan Sponsor Forum, Dallas, Texas, November 1, 2007.