Funds Legal Assistant in London

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a leading international law firm with offices across the world. It has a substantial European practice with particular emphasis on international arbitration and litigation, cross-border acquisitions, capital markets transactions, private equity funds, financings and restructurings. The London office has more than 150 lawyers, including 29 partners and 26 international counsel. Over two thirds of our lawyers are UK-qualified. Our London lawyers work closely with their colleagues in New York, Paris and Frankfurt, as well as with lawyers in our other offices. The London office has an overall count of around 280.

We have one of the leading private funds practices in the world, with coverage in the US, Europe and Asia. Our integrated team of funds, regulatory and tax specialists advise a wide range of fund managers and advisers with a variety of strategies, including private equity and venture capital, real estate, infrastructure and debt. The European team works with UK, continental European, US and global asset managers, and is ranked in Band 2 for Private Equity Funds by Chambers UK.

The firm seeks a full-time Legal Assistant to become an integral member of our Investment Management Group in London. The role will provide hands-on experience across a broad range of private funds matters and offers excellent training opportunities. The successful candidate will work closely with associates and partners and will support the team in the efficient day-to-day management of matters and transactions.

• Assist lawyers with fund formation matters, including the preparation, organisation and management of offering documents, subscription documents, side letters and partnership agreements.
• Support the team with fund operation and compliance matters, including maintaining matter records, tracking deliverables and coordinating documentation.
• Assist on portfolio investment-related matters, including matters involving special purpose vehicles, joint venture arrangements and general partner/manager compensation issues.
• Support fund secondary transactions, including fund restructurings, tender offers and portfolio purchases, through document preparation, diligence, signing and closing processes.
• Assist with the review, organisation and management of fund documentation relating to institutional investors investing in private equity and venture funds across a variety of strategies.
• Help coordinate with clients, institutional investors, service providers and internal teams, including in relation to placement agents and other transaction participants.
• Manage transaction and matter administration, including document comparison, signature processes, closing sets, trackers, checklists and electronic filing/document management.
• Undertake legal and factual research and other ad hoc tasks as required by the team.

The list of responsibilities is not exhaustive. It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for, the performance of this job. As such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional ad hoc tasks as required.

• Organised and responsive, with an ability to prioritise and work to deadlines while demonstrating strong attention to detail.
• Previous paralegal/legal assistant experience in a legal or professional services environment is desirable; experience in private funds, corporate or transactional work would be advantageous.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely with lawyers, clients and other departments.
• Confident working independently, taking ownership of tasks and managing own workload while knowing when to seek guidance.
• Strong people skills and a collaborative approach; a proactive, positive, reliable and energetic team player.
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and document management systems such as iManage.
• Comfortable working across different time zones and on matters involving colleagues and clients in multiple offices.
• Flexibility to work overtime from time to time where required (this role is eligible for paid overtime).
• Self-motivated, with initiative, enthusiasm and an interest in developing a career in a leading private funds practice.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences.