Funds Associate/Senior Associate - Dubai or Abu Dhabi

A&O Shearman; Dubai; On-site; AED 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

A&O Shearman in Dubai or Abu Dhabi seeks an associate (3 PQE+) or senior associate for our growing funds and asset management practice. The candidate will advise on fund structuring, establishment, and investments for regional and cross-border clients, with a strong regulatory and transactional focus.

The role offers exposure to a market-leading practice, with opportunities across traditional and innovative fund vehicles, and collaboration within our international funds team, based in a dynamic

Qualifications

• 3+ PQE ideally
• Strong knowledge of limited partnership agreements
• Experience with private funds and investor negotiations
• Experience with cross-border fund structures and jurisdictions
• Experience establishing funds in ADGM, DIFC, Delaware, Luxembourg, Guernsey and Cayman Islands

Responsibilities

• Fund structuring and formation, drafting fund docs (PPMs, LPA, subscription agreements) and related documentation
• Reviewing and negotiating fund documentation from an investor’s perspective
• Advising on fund investments, co-investments and bespoke structures

Skills

Funds & asset management

Regulatory knowledge

Legal drafting & negotiation

Cross-border transactions

Education

Law degree / bar qualification

Bachelor’s degree 2:1

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an associate (3 PQE+) or senior associate to join our growing our funds and asset management group in the Middle East.

Department purpose

Our Middle East funds and asset management advises asset managers and investment funds on establishing funds and the associated regulatory and compliance requirements for investment funds (including Shari’a funds) and investment managers. We also have a highly active investor-side practice advising institutional investors including sovereign wealth funds on investing into a wide range of structures from traditional funds to bespoke co-investment structures. Forming part of our global funds and asset management group, the Middle East funds and asset management practice is very international in nature. The practice has established itself as a significant force in investment funds structuring and establishment, earning a band 1 rating in the Middle East Investment fund formation and management category by Legal 500.

Our team advises sponsors– including private equity houses, sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), financial institutions and corporate clients – on fund establishment and related issues. Funds are used as a tool to diversify and drive sustainable economic growth (e.g. seed funding programmes, funds to monetize strategic assets and funds to invest in specific sectors such as AI and energy transition). The funds span a range of asset classes including private equity, infrastructure, venture capital, real estate and technology funds. The practice covers a range of fund domiciles including regional (e.g. Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), “onshore” UAE and Saudi Arabia) as well as international and/or offshore (e.g. Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, Jersey and Delaware).

In addition, our team advises investors (e.g. SWFs, institutional investors and family offices) on traditional fund investments, co-investments and separate managed accounts globally across asset classes including in the US. This enables our team to have both a regional and global perspective on market terms and trends in the funds’ space.

Role purpose

Due to our exceptional success within the sector, we are looking to recruit an ambitious, bright and enthusiastic senior associate or associate to join our team in the Dubai or Abu Dhabi office. The candidate will have at least 3 years post qualification experience. An excellent academic record is essential, i.e. a minimum of 2:1 bachelor’s degree and relevant legal qualification. Non-English-qualified candidates will also be considered. In return we offer a compelling benefits package coupled with unrivalled experience and opportunities, first-rate training and development, all within a dynamic and supportive environment.

Role and responsibilities

• Fund structuring formation: The main focus of the role will be on fund structuring and formation, which will consist of structuring, preparing fund documentation, negotiating fund deals and coordinating fund closings. The candidate will regularly draft, review and negotiate key fund documentation such as PPMs, limited partnership agreements and subscription agreements as well as investment management, investment advisory, custody, administration, investor side letters and all other contractual documentation relating to funds. The candidate will build up a strong regulatory knowledge tailored to the funds and asset management practice.
• Fund investments: The practice also advises SWFs, institutional investors and family offices on investing into a wide range of structures from traditional funds and co-investments to bespoke separate managed accounts globally. The candidate will also be involved in reviewing and negotiating fund documentation from an investor’s perspective.
• Joint Venture / co-sponsored structures, “fund-of-one”, bespoke fund structures: The practice has been involved in structuring and establishing a number of complex cross-border joint venture/co-sponsored funds, fund-of-ones and other bespoke / hybrid structures as well as investments by anchor investors into fund including a stake in the general partner / manager. The candidate will be involved in structuring, reviewing and negotiating documentation relating to such structures from either a sponsor or investor’s perspective.

Key requirements

• Ideally between 3-7 PQE.
• Strong technical knowledge of the ins and outs of a limited partnership agreement and good knowledge of market trends.
• In depth knowledge of private funds and experience in negotiations with investors as well as good market knowledge of negotiating points on fund investments and co-investments.
• Comfortable dealing with new structures and jurisdictions.
• Experience in establishing funds in all or some of the following: ADGM, DIFC, Delaware, Luxembourg, Guernsey and Cayman Islands.

A&O Shearman is a global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.