Private Equity Associate

London, England, United Kingdom

10/9/2024

What We Will Offer

If you require this document in an accessible format (e.g. large print), please contact hr.recruitment@shlegal.com or call 020 7809 2711

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

You Can Expect

• A Competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• The opportunity to support the firm's charity through volunteering leave
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when we experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
  
  

Team Structure

This role is to work within the Funds & Secondaries team which is part of the Private Equity Group. The PE Group consists of 8 partners, 23 Associates, 3 Trainees and 4 Paralegals – PEG has doubled in size in the last four years and is the fastest growing team within Stephenson Harwood, both in terms of headcount and revenue.

Unlike most private equity practices, the SH PE Group consists of both funds lawyers and transactional lawyers, with a view to servicing PE clients from 'cradle to grave' from the formation of their fund vehicle, the re-structuring of fund vehicles, secondaries transactions and the acquisition and sale of portfolio companies.

Whilst all associates within the team are actively encouraged to work for a wide range of partners to broaden their experience and expertise, there will be an expectation for this role to have a primary focus on private equity secondaries transactions.

Unlike the majority of investment funds practices, the SH team focusses on complex continuation vehicle secondaries transaction with both secondaries partners Tier 1 ranked by Chambers & Partners in this area. We believe we are a market-leader in this space and are frequently acting on the highest profile market matters t.

Whilst it would be helpful to have had some exposure to secondaries acquisitions, this role is not required to have an in-depth knowledge of private equity fund structures. A background in private company and private equity M&A such that the candidate would be able to participate actively in a transactional role is a minimum requirement.

Main Responsibilities

• Clear, concise and unambiguous drafting and negotiation of fund documentation
• Conducting legal research using internal and external knowledge management resources
• Developing own informal internal and external network of contacts
• Building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within Stephenson Harwood
• Attending business development and profile raising events (client seminars, graduate recruitment activities)
  
  

Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Private equity transactional lawyer with experience in private company M&A and ideally secondaries transactions
• Ability and desire to work within a small, but growing, ambitious and entrepreneurial team
• Ability to acquire, consolidate and apply fundamental and up-to-date knowledge of the law
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Cooperative and collaborative in approach and able to develop excellent working relationships at all levels and within all roles
• Excellent academic and professional qualifications
  
  

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

About The Firm

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions, and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our Values

Individuality - We encourage creativity and develop talent

Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard

Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships

Straight talking - We say what we mean and do what we say

These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions.

Our vision into 2026

To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.

This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character – the attributes we want to see from all of our people. It also reflects the importance of remaining independent - a clear sign that we are confident in our own future. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.