At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal aspects of complex private equity transactions and fund structuring.
- Company: Join a top global investment management firm with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Gain exposure to senior professionals and work on innovative transactions.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth and strategic influence.
- Why this job: Be a trusted adviser in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 6+ years in private funds and secondaries transactions.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Join a Leading Global Private Markets Investment Manager. Our client is a highly regarded independent global investment management firm specialising in private markets. With a long-established international presence and a multi-billion-dollar asset base, the firm invests across a range of private asset strategies and serves a diverse global investor base comprising institutional and private wealth clients. The firm has built a strong reputation for innovation, responsible investing and delivering tailored investment solutions through a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture.
As the business continues to expand its secondaries platform, an opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join the London-based Legal team.
The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity for a senior private funds lawyer to join a sophisticated and growing secondaries investment platform. You will work closely with investment professionals, senior management and external counsel on a broad range of complex and high-value transactions, including LP portfolio acquisitions, continuation funds, GP-led and LP-led preferred equity transactions, fund restructurings and other innovative secondaries solutions. In addition to transactional support, you will play a key role in advising on fund formation, fund structuring and strategic initiatives across the firm's global secondaries business.
Key Responsibilities
- Fund Formation Structuring
- Lead and coordinate legal aspects relating to the establishment, operation and governance of UK, US, Cayman and Luxembourg private equity fund structures.
- Partner closely with investment, product and investor relations teams on fund structuring and strategic product initiatives.
- Support the launch of new secondaries funds and bespoke separate managed account structures.
- Manage external counsel and oversee the preparation and negotiation of fund documentation, including limited partnership agreements, PPM, subscription agreements and related materials.
- Transaction Execution
- Act as lead legal adviser on acquisitions and disposals of primary and secondary fund interests, including both single-asset and portfolio transactions.
- Advise on transaction structuring, tax and regulatory considerations.
- Negotiate and execute purchase and sale agreements, transfer documentation, side letters and related transaction documents.
- Coordinate transaction closings and stakeholder management across multiple jurisdictions.
- Lead legal work-streams relating to NAV facilities and subscription credit facilities.
- Portfolio Fund Operations
- Attend Investment Committee meetings and provide strategic legal input on proposed transactions.
- Oversee MFN election processes and investor consent matters.
- Support advisory board interactions and underlying fund manager communications.
- Assist with contentious matters and dispute resolution as required.
- Legal Regulatory
- Partner with Compliance to enhance governance frameworks, policies and controls.
- Provide practical legal advice on fund operations, regulatory developments and private equity investment matters.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with external law firms and service providers.
- Support broader legal team initiatives and collaborate closely with senior legal leadership.
Candidate Profile
We are seeking a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys operating at the intersection of complex transactions, fund structuring and business strategy.
Experience Qualifications
- Qualified lawyer in the UK or US.
- Minimum 6 year's post-qualification experience gained within a leading private funds practice and/or a sophisticated in-house investment management environment.
- Extensive experience advising on private equity fund structures and fund formation matters.
- Strong track record supporting secondaries transactions, including acquisitions and disposals of LP interests.
- Experience across UK and US fund structures; exposure to Luxembourg vehicles would be advantageous.
- Strong understanding of fund operations, fund closings and investor-related matters.
Highly Desirable
- Experience with LP portfolio transactions.
- Exposure to continuation funds and GP-led secondaries.
- Experience advising on GP-led preferred equity and LP-led preferred equity transactions.
- Familiarity with NAV financing and subscription line facilities.
Personal Attributes
- Commercially astute with strong business judgement.
- Confident stakeholder manager capable of influencing senior investment professionals.
- Highly organised with excellent project management skills.
- Collaborative, adaptable and comfortable working across multiple jurisdictions and time zones.
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and intellectually demanding environment.
Why Apply?
This role offers the opportunity to:
- Work on some of the most sophisticated and innovative transactions in the secondaries market.
- Join a highly respected global private markets platform with an established international presence.
- Gain direct exposure to senior investment professionals and business leaders across multiple jurisdictions.
- Operate as a trusted adviser and strategic partner to the investment team.
- Play a key role in the continued growth and evolution of a leading secondaries franchise.
For experienced private funds lawyers seeking a broader commercial role with significant transaction exposure and strategic influence, this represents an exceptional opportunity.
Senior Legal Counsel - Secondaries Transactions (PE) employer: Oliver James
Join a leading global private markets investment manager that champions innovation and responsible investing within a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture. As a Senior Legal Counsel in London, you will engage with high-value transactions and strategic initiatives, benefiting from direct exposure to senior professionals and opportunities for professional growth in a sophisticated environment. The firm’s commitment to tailored investment solutions and its strong reputation in the industry make it an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel - Secondaries Transactions (PE)
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel - Secondaries Transactions (PE)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Oliver James, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Oliver James and the specific role of Senior Legal Counsel - Secondaries Transactions (PE). Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Oliver James’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oliver James
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Oliver James.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Oliver James.
