Vedder Price

Deborah Bielicke Eades

Shareholder

Deborah Bielicke Eades joined Vedder Price as a Shareholder in 1999 and is a member of the firm’s Investment Services group.

Ms. Eades has extensive experience in all aspects of mutual fund, closed-end fund and investment adviser regulation and compliance, including product design, U.S. federal and state registration, representation of fund boards, portfolio compliance, derivative instruments, affiliated transactions and general regulatory matters.

Ms. Eades has represented clients on a broad range of matters, including:

  • Led series of open-end fund reorganizations to integrate acquired fund complex
  • Lead partner on series of complex, multiple-fund reorganizations of closed-end funds with multiple forms of leverage
  • Handling all aspects of the formation of new registered investment companies, private funds (including hedge funds) and investment advisers
  • Advising investment companies and investment advisers on all aspects of ongoing compliance matters including drafting and reviewing compliance policies and procedures, developing compliance programs for investment companies and investment advisers and assisting clients in annual compliance reviews
  • Representing mutual fund clients in structuring complex target date and protected NAV products, including negotiations of guarantees, warranties and put structures
  • Representing closed-end funds in initial public offerings, debt offerings, preferred stock offerings, commercial paper conduits and other leveraged financings, including leading an innovative initial public offering and subsequent offerings for a closed-end fund investing in master limited partnerships in the energy infrastructure industry
  • Counseling fund clients on all aspects of board administration and meeting preparation and advising fund boards of directors on fiduciary duties and conflicts of interest, oversight responsibilities and other fund governance matters
  • Performing “mock” SEC examinations and independent consultant reviews, including mock examinations of investment advisers to hedge funds and other alternative investment products
  • Counseling clients in connection with preparing for, and responding to, SEC examination requests

Prior to joining Vedder Price, Ms. Eades served as Associate Counsel and Assistant Vice President with Janus Capital Corporation in Denver. She has served on various industry committees, including the Investment Company Institute’s Rules Committee and Electronic Commerce Working Group. Ms. Eades regularly speaks at industry conferences on mutual fund, investment adviser and hedge fund regulation.

Ms. Eades has been selected by her peers as a Leading Lawyer in Securities & Venture Finance from 2013 to 2021. The Legal 500 United States recommended Ms. Eades in the Investment Fund Formation and Management – Mutual/Registered Funds category since 2015.

Ms. Eades is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, for which she formerly served as the Chair of the Investment Company Subcommittee. Ms. Eades is a member of the CFA Institute.

Deborah Bielicke Eades

Shareholder

Education

  • Washington University School of Law, J.D., 1990
  • University of Missouri, B.S.B.A., 1986, magna cum laude

Deborah Bielicke Eades

Shareholder

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois, 2001

Affiliations

  • Certified Financial Analyst
  • Member, Chicago Bar Association (Former Chair, Investment Company Subcommittee)

Deborah Bielicke Eades

Shareholder

Deborah Bielicke Eades

Shareholder