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 investment funds in formation and in representation of clients engaged in private equity transactions.
Mr. Deeken's representations in connection with fund and investment vehicle formations include representations of private equity managers in forming private equity investment funds, single purpose investment partnerships and co-investment partnerships. His private equity fund formations include formations of regional leveraged buy-out funds. Mr. Deeken also represents private investment funds and parties contracting with private investment funds in the consummation of leveraged buy-outs, venture capital investments, follow-on investments, co-investments and dispositions of portfolio companies. Mr. Deeken's ability to represent both private equity clients in their fund formation and subsequent transactional activity 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, micro-insurance 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.
Mr. Deeken was previously appointed by the Dallas County Commissioner’s Court in 2005 to a two-year term on the county’s Trails and Preserves Program Board and served as a board member of Friends of the Trinity Strand Tail from 2003 through 2006.
Speeches and Writings
- "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
- "Hurricane Katrina: Legal Issues Affecting Small Businesses," Pro Bono Brochure Publication of Texas C-Bar.