Associate / Senior Associate, Corporate Private Equity in London

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years. As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

This is a great opportunity to join a thriving private equity practice and growing team. The candidate will work closely with the core private equity partners on private equity transactions (MBOs, LBOs, auction sales, management equity arrangements, public to privates and general corporate advice to portfolio companies). The candidate will also have the opportunity to become involved in business development activities (both formal pitches and more socially) as we continue the growth of our private equity offering. This role would suit an English-qualified solicitor or a foreign-qualified lawyer whose predominant practice involves PE transactions.

Our private equity team is recognised for advising on upper mid-market private equity transactions. We advise across the full spectrum of private equity transactions including acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, public-to-privates, growth equity transactions, restructurings and recapitalisations.

Main areas covered: PE | Private M&A for PE funds and PE-backed companies | Equity arrangements

Key fund clients include: Aquiline Capital Partners, BlackRock, Blackstone, Cabot Square Capital, Carlyle, CPPIB, Fidelio, Goldman Sachs International Merchant Banking Division, Impilo, KKR, Marcol, Metric Capital, Partners Group, QIA, Three Hills Capital Partners.

Other clients include private equity backed portfolio companies, including: Ardonagh Group (HPS and MDP), Moto (USS), Tandem (Pollen Street), Trident Energy (Warburg Pincus).

Primary objectives:

• Deliver excellent client service and make an effective contribution to the firm’s work by aiming to meet and exceed target hours.
• Take responsibility for the delivery and quality of legal work and transaction management.
• Act as a role model and contribute to the development of junior lawyers.
• Take steps to build a strong reputation in the market and internally and contribute to non-legal firm initiatives and projects.

Key responsibilities:

• Responsibilities will vary depending on level of qualification and experience to date; our culture is to reward ability and enthusiasm with responsibility early.
• An ability to lead private equity deals for fund investor clients is essential.
• Familiarity with key PE drafting and market practice is also key.
• Understanding the drivers of PE funds and advising them accordingly.
• Support the wider team in pitching, marketing and thought leadership activities.
• Supervise and develop Junior Associates and Trainees.
• Co-ordinate matters or work streams, delegate, and manage work – act as lead associate on some client matters and as part of a larger associate team on others.
• Role will include project management; delegation of work to juniors, keeping partners and senior associates informed and assisting partners to monitor and control progress against agreed objectives, scope, timelines and budgets.
• Support the firm and others - extend effective relationships across the global network; contribute to the development of team members; uphold the firm’s values; contribute to the firm’s initiatives; take steps to cultivate an excellent reputation and profile in the market and internally; attend marketing/industry events and draft or help prepare articles, precedents and know-how materials; lead the development and delivery of training and presentations.
• Comply with risk requirements, firm policies and all relevant professional responsibilities and legislation and contribute to billing, engagement and client acceptance processes.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• 4-8 years' PQE would be preferable.
• Demonstrable experience in PE.
• Willingness to take responsibility for delivering PE transactions, with appropriate partner supervision.
• Solid legal skills, including drafting, negotiation and project management skills; good people management and business development skills.

Team: Corporate

Working Pattern: Full time

Location: London

Contract type: Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion: We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.