James A. Deeken

James A. Deeken is a seasoned attorney who focuses on investment management and private fund formation. He advises private fund managers and investors on structuring, launching, and managing a wide range of funds. His practice includes credit funds, energy and natural resources funds, private funds liquidity solutions, and complex co-investment arrangements.

James earned his B.A. from Vanderbilt University in 1993, before completing his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1999. His academic foundation supports his clear and practical approach to fund structuring and regulatory matters. Before attending law school, he worked as a bond trader, gaining hands-on market insight that continues to shape his business-focused legal guidance.

James represents managers forming buyout funds, growth equity funds, oil and gas and other energy funds, loan origination funds, opportunistic funds, funds of funds and hedge funds, special-purpose vehicles, funds of one, and co-investments. He regularly guides negotiations with private pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, university endowments, public retirement plans, charitable foundations, family offices, and non-U.S. tax treaty jurisdiction investors.

James A. Deeken has advised on the formation of major funds, including Crestline Portfolio Financing Fund II, a $1 billion direct lending fund. His experience spans successive leveraged buyout funds, specialty lending funds, opportunistic credit-oriented funds, and European-focused investment vehicles. He is recognized by Chambers Global, Investment Funds: Private Equity: Fund Formation, 2024-2025, and Chambers USA, Investment Funds: Private Equity: Fund Formation, 2021-2025. He is also listed in The Legal 500 US, Investment Fund Formation and Management: Private Equity Funds, 2020-2025, and received the Akin, Dallas Pro Bono Partner of the Year Award, 2009, and the Akin, Partner Recognition Award.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
• Vice chairman, Texas State Bar Association, Business Law Section

Licensed State

• Texas

Education

• Vanderbilt University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Vanderbilt University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges