Associate - Funds Transfers in London

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is one of the world’s leading international law firms. The Firm was established in 1884 and has more than 2,000 lawyers. Headquartered in New York with offices in Beijing, Boston, Brussels, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Palo Alto, San Francisco, São Paulo, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C., the Firm provides coordinated legal advice and transactional capability to clients around the globe.

The Funds Transfers Associate reports directly to the Head of the Transfers Team and plays a key role within Simpson Thacher’s market-leading private funds practice in London, managing transfers of interests in private equity funds on behalf of a diverse portfolio of GP clients. The role is suitable for candidates with approximately two years’ PQE upwards, including very experienced practitioners, and combines substantive legal work with responsibility for team and process management. The successful candidate will join a collegiate and supportive team that values collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

The Funds Transfers Associate will assist in managing and overseeing the limited partner transfer process, including:

• Maintaining excellent GP client relationships and providing oversight of the individual transfer process for each GP client;
• Supervising the paralegal transfer team, including oversight and review of legal work and a high volume of concurrent transfers;
• Negotiating with investor counsel and incoming and outgoing limited partners, and liaising with specialist tax, ERISA and other advisers including local counsel, in each case where required;
• Developing and maintaining precedents and templates, incorporating updates to reflect changes in law, regulation and market practice;
• Continually assessing and improving the transfer process and workflow for each GP client, with a view to maximising efficiency, reducing turnaround times and enhancing the client experience, including through the use of technology and AI-enabled tools where appropriate;
• Liaising with the associates in the main funds team for input on specific investor issues and wider developments for each GP client, including new fundraisings, co-investment vehicles, continuation fund transactions and restructurings; and
• Performing any other duties commensurate with the role.

• Self-sufficiency;
• Strong leadership, mentoring and motivational skills to support the professional development of paralegals and junior team members;
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with GP clients, investor counsel and other key stakeholders with a sound commercial judgement;
• Sound knowledge of, or an interest in developing expertise in, private funds structures, fund documentation and the LP transfer process;
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced, high-volume transactional environment;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal and commercial concepts clearly;
• A flexible and adaptable approach, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with minimum supervision;
• Previous experience of supervising or managing more junior team members, whether in a legal or operational context, is highly desirable;
• An openness to and curiosity around adopting new technologies, including AI and legal technology tools, to enhance productivity and service delivery;
• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with transactional legal experience, ideally gained within a well-established law firm.

Salary and Benefits: Competitive

Hybrid: Monday-Thursday in office, ability to WFH on Fridays

Simpson Thacher is committed to ensuring that everyone can reach their full potential, irrespective of background, identity, or circumstance. We know that we are at our best when we bring together diverse experiences and perspectives. This is why we are focused on fostering a collegial environment which maximises collaboration, empowering every individual to thrive and succeed.