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As deputy general counsel at Janus Henderson Investors, Stephanie Grauerholz has a lot on her plate: monitoring global regulatory frameworks, aiding the company’s growth strategy, and supporting corporate functions such as DEI, litigation, and HR. But her busy schedule doesn’t stop her from educating and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
“I’m passionate about passing on knowledge and creating opportunity for others, whether that be at Janus Henderson or not,” she says. “My goal is to treat my team so that they never want to leave, but I know I did my job when they find an opportunity that fits their goals.”
Grauerholz leads the company’s global asset management legal team of approximately forty people, including lawyers, paralegals, and administrative support staff stationed across Denver, London, and Hong Kong. Her commitment to their growth aligns with a companywide mission of helping clients achieve superior financial outcomes through differentiated insights, disciplined investments, and world-class service.
“My goal is to treat my team so that they never want to leave, but I know I did my job when they find an opportunity that fits their goals.”
Stephanie Grauerholz
Grauerholz and her team support efforts to protect and grow Janus Henderson’s core business, as well as support expansion of existing capabilities that have enhanced growth opportunities for clients and the firm, such as private funds, exchange-traded funds, and regional expansion in Asia and Latin America.
Supporting the diversification of the organization’s offerings has been another focus. That’s what led to a joint venture with Privacore Capital, an open-architecture distributor and trusted consultant for alternative investment products tailored to private wealth clients. Since the start of that venture, Privacore has tapped into a fast-growing market in a vital segment of the industry where Janus Henderson clients have sought exposure.
Legal has been present in each effort, Grauerholz says. Her team partners on strategic priorities and contributes ideas on new markets, products, and instruments. She notes that legal prepares the offering documents related to existing and new product launches, reviews and negotiates agreements, collaborates with the traders and portfolio managers on the types of instruments needed for investment, and provides guidance on regulatory requirements on regions around the globe.
“We touch every part of the business,” she says, “and it becomes exciting because you’re seeing the results of your work help move things forward for the firm.”
Grauerholz says she decided to pursue law “by interest and default.” It was her senior year in college, and she hadn’t declared her major. That’s when the administrative office called, urging her to figure things out.
“I thought about the courses I had already taken and found my legal classes allowed me to major in legal studies,” she says. After graduation, her cursory interests in law evolved into a genuine passion that brought her to DePaul University College of Law. After graduating, she started her career at Chapman and Cutler, and then to Vedder Price, where she advised financial services firms and boards of directors on matters related to the 1940 Act and Advisers Act.
She went on to join Janus Capital Group for thirteen years before founding her own consulting firm, Alpha Regulatory Consulting. Her experience as a sole practitioner forced her to learn, adapt, and figure things out on the fly.
“It gave me a different perspective since I was on my own,” she says. “It shaped me to be a leader who challenges people to do things that they don’t have experience with.”
In 2019, Grauerholz returned to Janus Henderson in her first senior management role. While she was happy to work with her former colleagues again, Grauerholz says that the transition was an adjustment that required “some soul searching.”
“I was used to being a doer,” she says. She enjoyed being in the weeds, doing research and analysis. “It took a mindset shift, but I don’t regret it at all. The firm is fantastic, and I can’t say enough good things about my team.”
“It’s a privilege to partner with Stephanie—she is a creative, brilliant, and incredibly hardworking in-house leader,” says Jason Halper, partner at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. “She brings a thoughtful, practical approach to bear on litigation matters that, combined with a commitment to excellence, have produced tremendous results. It is also inspiring to see how deeply she cares about her team and the larger Janus Henderson organization.”
Grauerholz advises young people to follow their interests and find people to advocate for them. She’s always happy to share her advice and experience with others.
“If you want to be in a company or to be part of something, don’t feel like you have to do it on your own,” she says. “Connect with people that can make sure your name is being heard.”
