Paulita Pike

Practice Areas

Paulita Pike is managing partner of the Chicago office and a partner in the firm’s asset management group. A skilled communicator known for her extensive knowledge of the registered funds landscape, Paulita represents every type of registered product, including open- and closed-end funds, ETFs, funds of hedge funds, and funds investing in private equity. Her work with investment advisers often involves structuring innovative investment products and navigating the regulatory and compliance hurdles associated with bringing these products to market. Paulita’s advice spans the full range of registered investment vehicles on everything from M&A and registration questions to investigations and cybersecurity. She also counsels boards of directors on all aspects of governance, regulatory risks, industry trends and insurance matters.

Paulita has been widely recognized for her work on behalf of clients, including twice being named a Chicago “Notable Woman Lawyer” by Crain’s Chicago Business and “Independent Counsel of the Year” by Fund Directions. Most recently, she has collaborated with clients to pioneer in the ETF space, advised on investments in cryptocurrencies and other emerging asset classes, and helped clients work through top-of-mind governance issues raised by asset management M&A. Clients value Paulita’s ability to provide timely, practical and business-focused advice.

Paulita’s experience extends to industry-related work, including speaking regularly at conferences and serving on industry group advisory boards, such as BoardIQ and the Mutual Fund Directors Forum. She also teaches courses in mutual fund regulation at Notre Dame Law School and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

Paulita is passionate about giving back to her community, whether through civic engagement, pro bono work, or efforts to further diversity, equity and inclusion. In addition to serving on boards and committees of the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and the Art Institute of Chicago, Paulita regularly provides pro bono representation to indigent immigrants. She is also a member of Ropes & Gray’s diversity committee; leads the Chicago diversity, equity and inclusion committee; and is active with the firm’s Women’s Forum, among other initiatives.