Private Equity Secondaries Associate

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We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

You can expect:

• A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• The opportunity to support the firm's charity through volunteering leave
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
• Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process. 

The SH Secondaries team is a market-leading boutique. Ranked band 1 in Chambers it services the most complex and high profile secondaries transactions in the European mid-market.

The group consists of both private funds lawyers and transactional lawyers, with every associate being trained on both LPAS and SPAs with a view to be an all-round player.

Whilst it would be helpful to have had some exposure to secondaries deals, this role is not required to have an in-depth knowledge of the market. A background in either private funds or private equity M&A, such that the candidate would be able to participate actively in a transactional role is a minimum requirement.

The department runs regular legal training sessions covering the core practice areas listed above as well as associate development centres focusing on 'soft' skills and BD. The ongoing support and development of our associates is regarded as essential to our growth and success.
The secondaries team forms part of the wider SH private equity (PE) team. The private equity team of 9 partners advise across a wide range of private M&A, private funds and private equity transactions, acting for corporates, private equity houses and other leading financial institutions. It is the fastest growing team within Stephenson Harwood, both in terms of headcount and revenue.

• Project management and deal co-ordination;
• Clear, concise and unambiguous preparation and drafting of main transaction documentation
• Negotiation of transaction documents and provision of commercially minded legal advice as an integral part our clients' deal team
• Liaison with clients, specialist lawyers and other service providers in managing transactions
• Developing own informal internal and external network of contacts
• Supervision, training and mentoring of junior experience level team members
• Building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within the firm
• Participating in and contributing to business development and profile-raising events, such as client seminars, client e-alerts and graduate recruitment activities

• Transactional lawyer with experience in private company M&A or experience in a private funds team - and ideally secondaries transactions
• Excellent academic and professional qualifications
• Knowledge and experience of high profile acquisitions including document drafting, consideration letters, shareholder resolutions and warranty letters
• Experience coordinating closings of multi-jurisdictional private equity transactions
• Experience working on cross-border transactions including management of local counsel
• Ability to acquire, consolidate and apply fundamental and up-to-date knowledge of the law including a strong understanding of companies house filing requirements
• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal communication skills and a proven ability to deal directly with clients
• Organised and able to work to strict deadlines with the ability to prioritise realistically
• Resilient with the ability to handle setbacks and pressure
• Cooperative and collaborative in approach and able to develop excellent working relationships at all levels and within all roles
• Ability to operate professionally and proactively at all times
• Exhibits an understanding of the Firm’s position in the market and how it distinguishes its services from its competitors

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex andever-changing world.

Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade.

With more than 1,400 people, including 210+ partners, across eight offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our brand strengths:

• GO FAR, GO TOGETHER
• EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW
• CAN DO PERSONALITIES
• ALWAYS READY