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Kelley M. Bender

Chief Operating Partner, Chapman and Cutler

Chicago, IL

Kelley M. Bender is Chief Operating Partner at Chapman and Cutler in Chicago, working on fund formation, private equity funds and real estate funds; in practice since 2005.

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Last verified Oct 24, 2026 against chapman.com. How we check

Overview

Office
Chicago, IL
Experience
In practice since 2005 · 21 years
Main practice
Fund formation
Represents
LPs and Investors; GPs and Sponsors

Appears in: Where Private Fund Lawyers Went to Law School, a FundOpsHQ guide that names everyone it counts.

Source: chapman.com, as of Oct 24, 2026. View the bio

Practice

  • Fund formationthe practice the bio leads with

    From the bio
    “She primarily represents institutional investors of private equity funds, hedge funds, real estate funds”

  • Private equity funds

    From the bio
    “She primarily represents institutional investors of private equity funds”

  • Real estate funds

    From the bio
    “She primarily represents institutional investors of private equity funds, hedge funds, real estate funds”

  • Infrastructure funds

    From the bio
    “real estate funds, infrastructure funds, collective investment trusts”
2 more practices

  • Hedge funds

    From the bio
    “She primarily represents institutional investors of private equity funds, hedge funds”

  • Funds regulatory

    From the bio
    “advises the firm's registered investment adviser and investment company clients”

Focus

  • Separately managed accounts
    From the bio
    “Kelley has assisted clients looking to maintain greater control over their investment assets in negotiating separately managed accounts with large asset managers, as well as creating unique fund-of-one structures.”
  • Registered funds (’40 Act)
    From the bio
    “In particular, she has extensive experience advising on the development and operation of exchange-traded funds.”
  • ESG and SFDR
    From the bio
    “She also represents select sponsors of private investment funds, often in niche areas such as social impact investing and marketplace lending.”
  • Sovereign wealth and pension investors
    From the bio
    “She primarily represents institutional investors of private equity funds, hedge funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds, collective investment trusts, and other private investment funds.”

Read from the practice description in the bio on chapman.com, as of Oct 24, 2026.

Experience

In practice since 2005 · 21 years

Based on: J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 2005.

Years and earlier employers as stated in the bio on chapman.com, as of Oct 24, 2026.

Education and admissions

Education
  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D. (2005)
  • Augustana College, B.A. (2000)
Bar admissions

As the bio lists them. We do not check whether a licence is current; each state’s own lookup does.

As listed in the bio on chapman.com, as of Oct 24, 2026.

Colleagues at Chapman and Cutler

All 31

Fund Lawyers in Chicago at other firms

All 221

Partners with practices in common with Kelley, most in common first.

  • Addison Braendel

    Baker McKenziePractices in common: fund formation, private equity funds

  • Cameron Jordan

    SkaddenPractices in common: fund formation, private equity funds

  • Jon K. Jurva

    ArentFox SchiffPractices in common: fund formation, private equity funds

  • Bryan P. Bylica

    Bass, Berry & SimsPractices in common: fund formation, private equity funds

  • Shusmita Chowdhury

    Baker McKenziePractices in common: fund formation, private equity funds

  • Daniel D. Gordon

    Greenberg TraurigPractices in common: fund formation, private equity funds

Questions about Kelley M. Bender

What does Kelley M. Bender work on?

Chapman and Cutler’s bio of Kelley M. Bender leads with fund formation, and also lists private equity funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds, hedge funds and funds regulatory. It says Kelley M. Bender acts for investors (LPs) and sponsors (GPs).

Where is Kelley M. Bender based?

In Chapman and Cutler’s Chicago office.

How long has Kelley M. Bender practised?

Since 2005, 21 years, going by the bio (J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 2005).

Where did Kelley M. Bender study?

Loyola University Chicago School of Law and Augustana College.

Where is Kelley M. Bender admitted to practise?

The bio lists Illinois.

How can I contact Kelley M. Bender?

Through the bio page on chapman.com. FundOpsHQ does not publish email addresses or phone numbers.