Jana Cresswell advises investment management clients on regulatory matters, state and federal securities law compliance, and general corporate matters. She focuses her practice on providing comprehensive and practical advice to investment advisers, mutual funds and closed-end investment companies with respect to compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as well as other federal and state laws and regulations.
Jana provides guidance regarding the formation, structure and registration of investment companies; the preparation of disclosure documents provided to shareholders and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); service provider contracts; compliance policies and procedures; and board reporting. Jana also advises independent directors of investment companies in corporate governance and regulatory matters.
Featured Representative Matters
As counsel to the Dimensional funds, Stradley Ronon prepared the application for exemptive relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to Dimensional Fund Advisors to offer exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as a share class within a multiple share class structure (ETF share class).
Assisted clients in creating new funds that: (1) utilize multiple class, fund of funds or master-feeder structures; (2) invest in alternative asset classes (e.g., commodities) or engage in complex derivative transactions; or (3) employ alternative strategies (e.g., absolute return, managed volatility, long/short, market-neutral and 130/30).
Assisted clients with respect to internal fund reorganizations and external fund adoptions.
Managed complex-wide proxy solicitations, including one involving over 90 funds and 14 proposals that included soliciting shareholders in a master-feeder structure.
Negotiated new sub-transfer agency agreements, bank trust agreements, dealer agreements and participation agreements for an investment company complex.
Negotiated prime brokerage and other third-party agreements for a number of clients.
Assisted clients in responding to SEC inquiries and sweep exams.
Assisted an advisory client in conducting due diligence in connection with a possible acquisition.
Advised clients with respect to compliance policies and procedures.
Featured Speaking Engagements
Panelist, “The Funds They Are A-Changin: A Closer Look at Mutual Fund to ETF Conversions,” Stradley Ronon at the 2023 ICI Investment Management Conference
