Legal Counsel - Investments

Waterland Private Equity; England; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading private equity firm is seeking a Legal Counsel to provide legal support for investment teams in M&A transactions and regulatory matters. The role involves drafting transaction documents and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. Ideal candidates will have 3-6 years of relevant experience and a Master's in law. This full-time position offers a hybrid working model and opportunities for career growth in a dynamic team environment.

Benefits

International work environment

Continuous learning opportunities

Work-life integration

Qualifications

• 3-6 years of experience in a legal role, including experience in a business law firm.
• Excellent understanding of corporate law and regulatory framework of private equity.
• Admission to practice in England & Wales or Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to investment teams throughout the deal lifecycle.
• Take ownership of legal workstreams related to M&A, co-investments, and financing.
• Draft and manage transaction documentation.

Skills

Corporate law expertise

Negotiation skills

Legal compliance knowledge

Outstanding communication

Strong judgement

Detail-oriented

Education

Master’s degree in law

Job description

What will be your impact?

The Legal Counsel – Investments will provide legal support to the investment teams throughout the deal lifecycle, including M&A transactions (acquisition and exit), co-investments, financing arrangements, and portfolio company matters.

The Legal Counsel will :

• Take ownership of legal workstreams in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Nordics, in relation to M&A (acquisitions and exits), co-investments, financing arrangements, corporate governance and compliance.
• Oversee and manage the drafting of transaction documentation (SPA, SHA, NDA, etc.).
• Being sparring partner of investment teams on all legal aspects of a transaction (due diligence, legal structuring, transaction documentation etc.) by both supporting and challenging the investment teams.
• Manage relationships with legal advisors.
• Evaluate and advice on business decisions and operations from a legal strategy, fund and (regulated) fund manager perspective.
• Monitor compliance with group policies and applicable laws and regulations (including AIFMD, AML / KYC, and anti-bribery and corruption).
• Act as portfolio liaison : information sharing and sounding board towards management of portfolio companies with regard to legal topics.
• Monitor and advise on legal portfolio management.

The Legal Counsel will report to the General Counsel (based in Belgium).

The role is highly varied and involves working in a supportive, dynamic team. The projects you could work on offer continuous learning, increase your knowledge of the PE industry, and support you in growing your future career with us.

Be your true self :

• 3-6 years of experience in a legal role in a business environment, including a business law firm.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of corporate law (including M&A).
• Comprehension of the regulatory framework of private equity.
• Strong negotiation and structuring expertise; understanding the deal beyond the legal documents.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Sound judgement and ability to analyse situations and information.
• Outstanding communication skills.
• Profound knowledge of English. If you are fluent in another European language, we would love to hear about it.
• Master’s degree in law (additional education abroad and / or advanced master’s in Corporate / Business Law is a plus).
• Being admitted to practice in England & Wales or Ireland is a prerequisite.

As regards your personality :

A down-to-earth and open team player, having good communication and conviction skills, decisiveness, a creative yet pragmatic attitude, initiative-driven, curious and passionate.

Well-organised, pro-active, detail-oriented, ability to multi-task and work to tight deadlines. Works in a consistent manner with software tools.

Taking responsibility for tasks at hand. Ability to apply strong theoretical knowledge on practical situations, taking the company risk profile and goals into account.

You want to know more?

A full-time employment contract. The role will be based in our London, Copenhagen or Dublin office.

An international environment with extensive learning opportunities and early responsibility.

We commit ourselves to encouraging true team spirit and creating an inclusive and dynamic working environment in which each team member can pursue the knowledge needed to boost their career.

Work-life integration and hybrid working are important to us.