Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership | This website contains attorney advertising.

Overview

Joshua Deringer is a nationally recognized leader in the registered alternative investment fund space, known for his innovative approach to expanding retail access to alternative investments and structuring complex fund products. He has developed a strong and loyal client following for his ability to design and implement cutting-edge structures for private and registered alternative funds. Josh regularly advises US and international financial services firms across all aspects of the investment management industry, and he is widely regarded as one of the leading attorneys and innovators in the rapidly growing nontraded closed-end fund and retail alternatives market.

Josh serves as the team leader of the firm’s retail alternatives fund team and is a member of the firm’s management board, reflecting his leadership both within the firm and across the industry.

Fund Operations & Structuring

Josh advises registered investment companies, private funds, investment advisers, and other alternative investment vehicles. He establishes the legal and regulatory framework for a broad range of products, including interval funds, tender offer funds, business development companies (BDCs), funds of funds, multiclass funds, and master-feeder structures. He counsels clients on product development, launches, reorganizations, and ongoing operational and regulatory matters. Josh’s deep knowledge of the federal securities rulemaking process positions him to provide strategic guidance on proposed regulations, industry initiatives, and federal policymaking affecting registered and private funds.

Regulatory Counsel & Governance

Boards of directors, officers, and senior management rely on Josh for guidance on fund governance, fiduciary duties, compliance programs, and regulatory best practices. He helps investment advisers manage risk and regulatory exposure by drafting and enhancing compliance policies and procedures; reviewing advisory, distribution, and service provider agreements; and advising on advertising and marketing, soft dollars, trade allocation, and valuation matters. Josh also represents and coaches clients through SEC examinations, investigations, and enforcement proceedings.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

New York
Pennsylvania

Education

Fordham University School of Law
J.D. Fordham Law Review (2000)

University of Pennsylvania
B.A. (1996)

Insights & Events

Latest
Updates May 2026

SEC Proposes Amendments Governing Registered Offerings Related to Form N-2 and Preemption of State Securities Law Registration

Market Participants Should Consider Submitting Comments to Shape the Final Rules
16 min read
Speaking Engagement Recap March 20, 2026

Retail Alternative Investment Products: Gearing up for New Allocations

IAA’s 2026 Investment Adviser Compliance Conference
1 min read
March 03, 2026

2026 AIF Institute Private Wealth Investing Symposium

1 min read
News February 2026

Faegre Drinker Practices and Attorneys Ranked Among Leaders in Chambers Global Guide 2026

2 min read
Speaking Engagement Recap February 05, 2026

Rise of Retail Alternatives

ICI Innovate Conference
1 min read
News January 2026

Faegre Drinker Announces 2026 Leadership Transitions

5 min read
Updates August 2025

Presidential Order Instructs Regulators to Help Facilitate 401(k) Access to Alternative Asset Investments, Including Private Equity and Private Credit

Builds on Existing Regulatory Momentum; Collective Trusts and Closed-End Funds Expected to Play Key Roles in Facilitating Access for Plan Investors
16 min read
Updates June 2025

SEC Policy Change for Closed-End Funds Will Enhance Individual Access to Private Markets Investments

Including for 401(k) and IRA Investors
7 min read
Updates May 2023

SEC Adopts Amendments to Share Repurchase Disclosure Rules, Including for Listed Closed-End Funds

5 min read
Media Mentions March 2023

Joshua Deringer Comments on '40 Act Mutual Fund Wrappers With BoardIQ

2 min read
Insights
Updates May 2026

SEC Proposes Amendments Governing Registered Offerings Related to Form N-2 and Preemption of State Securities Law Registration

Market Participants Should Consider Submitting Comments to Shape the Final Rules
16 min read
Updates August 2025

Presidential Order Instructs Regulators to Help Facilitate 401(k) Access to Alternative Asset Investments, Including Private Equity and Private Credit

Builds on Existing Regulatory Momentum; Collective Trusts and Closed-End Funds Expected to Play Key Roles in Facilitating Access for Plan Investors
16 min read
Updates June 2025

SEC Policy Change for Closed-End Funds Will Enhance Individual Access to Private Markets Investments

Including for 401(k) and IRA Investors
7 min read
Updates May 2023

SEC Adopts Amendments to Share Repurchase Disclosure Rules, Including for Listed Closed-End Funds

5 min read
Media Mentions March 2023

Joshua Deringer Comments on '40 Act Mutual Fund Wrappers With BoardIQ

2 min read
Media Mentions March 2022

Joshua Deringer Discusses Subadviser Swapping With BoardIQ

1 min read
Updates January 2021

SEC Adopts New Marketing Rule for Investment Advisers

12 min read
Updates November 2020

SEC Adopts Final Derivatives Rule and Related Amendments

10 min read
Media Mentions October 2020

Joshua Deringer Comments on Managers Selling Funds to Become Advisers With BoardIQ

1 min read
Media Mentions October 2020

Joshua Deringer Comments on the Future of Fund Boards With BoardIQ

1 min read

Leadership & Community

Professional Associations

  • Hedge Fund Association
  • Managed Funds Association
  • Mid-Atlantic Hedge Fund Association

Civic Activities

  • Philadelphia Fund Alliance — Steering Committee Member, 2016-present
  • Philadelphia Financial Scholars — Board of Directors, 2021-present

Firm Leadership

  • Board Member, 2024-present
  • Leader, Investment Management Practice Group, 2020-23
  • Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — Chair, Investment Management Group; Managing Partner, 2017-20

Honors

  • Chambers Global — Registered Funds, Band 2, 2023-26
  • The Legal 500 — Investment Fund Formation and Management (US) – Mutual/Registered/Exchange-Traded Funds: Leading Lawyer, 2019-22
  • Chambers USA — Nationwide, Investment Funds: Registered Funds, 2019-23, 2025
  • Chambers USA — Nationwide, Investment Funds: Registered Funds, "Recognised Practitioner," 2012-13, 2017-18
  • The Legal Intelligencer — "Pennsylvania Lawyer on the Fast Track," 2013
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.