Our market leading investment management group is seeking to recruit an associate to join its hugely successful team. As part of this growth, we are seeking to expand our private equity, private debt, hedge fund and real estate practice by recruiting an associate with 1 to 4 years’ PQE.

The team

Our investment management practice currently comprises of 5 partners, 15 associates, 4 trainees, 1 PSL and 7 paralegals.  We are one of the broadest based investment management practices in London.  Our work covers the entire spectrum of investment management work from private equity, private debt, venture capital, infrastructure, real estate and hedge funds through to regulated funds (including UCITS).  Our major areas of focus at the moment are on private equity managers, private debt, institutional asset managers and VC managers.  We are also doing a lot of interesting work on hybrid funds (blending closed-ended funds with open-ended funds) and for alternatives managers looking to attract capital from DC pension funds and the mass-affluent. 

The team advises fund managers, other service providers and investors on a range of matters relating to their work and ongoing strategic issues.  Many of our clients' projects bring together a number of disciplines; we frequently draw on the expertise of our tax colleagues, as well as derivatives and trading, corporate, and regulatory lawyers to provide a seamless service, however complex the work.

International issues are commonplace in what we do.  Whether we are advising in relation to the formation of a fund or seed deal arrangements, our independent status ensures that we are able to instruct the very best local counsel.  As a result, clients benefit from the highest quality advice suited to their needs and the specific matter in hand.

Our client base

We act for many of the leading institutional asset managers across private equity, private debt, real estate and other alternative asset classes and advise on all aspects of their business.  Some of our key clients include; Hayfin Capital Management, Legal & General, Aberdeen Standard, Alcentra, Old Mutual, Alchemy and 17Capital.  Unlike many of our competitors, our advice does not end with the launch of the fund.  We develop long-term relationships advising on corporate, regulatory and trading matters on a daily basis.  Our people really get under the skin of our clients, allowing our associates to build longer-term fulfilling relationships and develop their softer skills.

Recent transactions;

• Hayfin Capital Management LLP on its European direct lending strategy, gathering €3.5bn, and on its special opportunities strategy, which attracted total commitments of €2.2bn;
• Alcentra on the fundraising of its third European direct lending fund which closed at €5.5bn. We also advised Alcentra on its latest special opportunities fund; and
• Muzinich & Co in relation to various European-focused credit funds, including its pan-European Private Debt Fund, raising over €700m; and it’s first ELTIF which closed at more than €140m

The candidate

The successful candidate will have excellent academic credentials, high quality legal experience, energy and enthusiasm.  They will have worked in a leading institutional investment management practice or in-house at an alternative asset manager.  We are looking for a solicitor who will enjoy working in a cohesive team and are keen to support the firm’s goal of providing outstanding client service.  We are committed to providing first class training and support to all our lawyers.

We expect all our associates to work closely with clients and assume real responsibility.  As our matters often have a cross-border element, we anticipate that our associates will frequently liaise with specialists in overseas jurisdictions.

Why choose Macfarlanes

We believe Macfarlanes offers a genuine alternative to the US and Magic Circle firms, with real opportunity for ambitious lawyers to develop and work for quality clients on difficult and rewarding transactions.  Our Investment Management group has a proven reputation for producing strong lawyers who feel part of a cohesive, friendly and supportive team, and whose efforts are appreciated and rewarded by the firm.

Breadth of work

We encourage our associates to cover all areas of the group’s practice – no solicitor just works for one partner.  Teams are partner led and lawyers are not left in the lurch to fend for themselves.  That said, we want to stretch our associates and they are given as much 'rope' as they can handle.  We staff projects with lean teams so all team members get real involvement in a project.

Education and training

We strive to provide our solicitors with long-term careers and have a career development programme in place which is designed to support each of our solicitors’ aspirations, enabling them to enhance their legal and commercial skills, and to reach their full potential.  We believe our Education and Training programme is second to none.  But we also provide significant wider training on development, such as presentation skills, building a network, managing time efficiently and operating as a modern day lawyer.

Prospects

We expect the candidate will be concerned to know about partnership prospects.  These are very real.  In recent years we have made up three partners and aim to grow the team organically over the next few years.  We will consider candidates with partnership aspirations, as well as those looking for a long-term career at a senior level but without the responsibilities of partnership.

We have a genuine desire to recognise work life balance for our associates.  We are committed to providing flexible working opportunities tailored to individuals’ needs and we offer a variety of long term career options.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Macfarlanes we understand the importance of an inclusive culture, the continued development of which has been identified as one of our key priorities. Our focus is to foster an inclusive culture throughout the firm, from entry level to partnership.  It is about recruiting, retaining and promoting all groups in the firm fairly, and we are continually reviewing our processes to ensure that everyone has the same chance to develop and advance.  An inclusive, forward-thinking culture also enables us to provide innovative solutions to our clients.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and experiences, making Macfarlanes an exciting and stimulating place to work. We seek to recruit the best candidates, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity, background, religion, physical abilities, sexual orientation or any other characteristic

Direct applicants only.  Strictly no agencies.