Associate - Private Equity

We currently have an opening for a Corporate Private Equity Lawyer/ Associate to join our Global Transactions practice in London. The private equity group within the firm’s corporate department is one of the firm’s largest and acts for a wide range of financial investor clients, including private equity, pension and sovereign wealth funds, infrastructure funds, alternative capital providers and real estate investment trusts. We are a band 1 private equity practice and consistently ranked at the top of the league tables in Europe, Asia and globally. Most of our work has a cross-border element, requiring us to draw on the expertise of our lawyers in other offices across the network. We wish to expand the team in London to meet increasing demand from our top-tier financial sponsor clients, and are looking for ambitious, bright and motivated associates looking to join the team for the long term.

Role summary/purpose of job

Our private equity lawyers will work on a broad mix of transactions for private equity and other financial sponsor clients, including public and private M&A, carve-outs, buy-outs, joint venture, consortium deals, minority/structured investments and reorganizations. Most of the work will have an international dimension and will range from some of the largest and most complex transactions to smaller deals which provide an opportunity for associates to take greater responsibility. We offer comprehensive training and career development for associates at all levels and encourage secondments, both within our international network and to our clients.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

• Working on a wide variety of large, complex, cross-border corporate transactions
• Focus on private equity and other financial sponsor clients across a wide range of market sectors
• Participating in business development initiatives with our financial sponsor clients

Key requirements

• At least 2 years post qualification experience as a solicitor in England & Wales, or a similarly experienced common law qualified lawyer with an outstanding academic record
• Corporate and private equity experience from a leading firm involving cross-border transactions
• Strong technical and commercial abilities
• Able to work effectively as part of a team and supervise more junior lawyers
• Highly effective communicator (both orally and in writing)
• Able to take on a high degree of responsibility and manage a challenging workload
• Committed to providing an excellent service to our clients
• Proactive involvement in business development and knowledge management

Overview of the firm

Freshfields is a major international law firm, providing business law advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it most matters, wherever in the world that may be. The Firm has over 2,800 lawyers in 33 offices around the world, providing a comprehensive service to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments. Our people make our firm - we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams. We think and work globally - we don’t just say we are one firm; we act like one firm right across the world. We work wherever our clients need us. This is how we define ourselves, not by reference to where we have offices. Cross-border work isn’t just what we do, it is what we excel at. We understand what it really takes to work across different legal systems and commercial environments and to bridge language and cultural gaps. We aim to add value in everything we do - we are passionate about helping our clients succeed. We use our experience and creativity to help clients make judgements and achieve their goals. In everything we do, we seek to make a real difference to the communities in which we operate.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing. Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (e.g. the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision. Please let us know if you require any support, or adjustments to be made, in order to submit your application to Freshfields.