Managing Associate, Investment Funds

Linklaters Asia; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Linklaters Asia in Hong Kong seeks an experienced funds lawyer to join our Investment Funds group. The role focuses on structuring, formation, taxation and regulation of funds, with exposure to sponsor and investor work across asset classes.

You will work with a global team, handling complex matters, mentoring junior members and contributing to client development while upholding the firm’s values and inclusivity.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience (or overseas equivalent with a minimum of 36 months fund experience).
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work on multiple matters concurrently.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Develop a deep knowledge of relevant law and explain complex information clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
• Draft creatively, clearly and accurately, using precedents where appropriate.
• Negotiate on behalf of the client under supervision and lead negotiations when appropriate.
• Manage client matters, monitor profitability, and ensure timely invoicing.
• Build client relationships and contribute to the firm’s business plan.

Job description

Linklaters is a leading international law firm, with 30 offices in 20 countries worldwide.

The global Investment Funds group comprises 19 partners supported by 14 counsels and over 100 dedicated lawyers in 8 offices around the world.

We maintain one of the deepest and most globally integrated funds practices in the world with experienced funds teams in London, Luxembourg, New York, Paris, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

Our Investment Funds group, unlike many of our competitors, maintains dedicated funds specialists in our global regulatory, tax, employment and pensions teams. This full service offering means that we are able to advise on the structuring, formation, taxation and regulation of alternative investment funds to provide commercial and practical solutions to our clients.

We advise the full spectrum of clients active in the alternative investment space, including those active in real estate, private equity (large cap, buyout, venture and growth), debt (direct lending, mezzanine and special situations), infrastructure and natural resources. In addition to our leading sponsor practice, we also have a strong and diverse investor and secondaries practice. We are experienced in the commercial, tax, legal, regulatory and logistical concerns that need to be addressed and balanced when investing in funds or transferring fund interests.

We ensure our associates work across a broad mix of work and clients, participating in market leading deals, working alongside various lawyers across different practice areas to foster their development and career growth.

Technical Capability

• Developing a deep knowledge of relevant law;
• Taking instructions internally and from clients;
• Drafting creatively, clearly and accurately, making use of precedents where appropriate;
• Understanding and digesting highly complex information and presenting it in a way that others find simple to understand (whether that be internal or external counsel, or counterparties);
• Negotiating on behalf of the client under appropriate supervision, and leading negotiations on behalf of the client where appropriate, in each case arguing complex technical points persuasively;
• Exercising judgment in making complex decisions on behalf of the client; and
• Legal research, due diligence and information management.

Client Development

• Building client relationships, constantly seeking new business opportunities and ways to build the firm’s reputation and proactively introducing your clients to other practice areas and offices; and
• Supporting and promoting the firm’s strategy and contributing to the practice area’s business plan.

Work Management

• Managing and taking accountability for all aspects of client matters, delivering client service excellence and handling difficult messages with sensitivity;
• Gearing matters to maximise profitability, monitoring team productivity throughout and adjusting resources as necessary, whilst looking out for the health and well‑being of the team; and
• Exercising commercial judgement to maximise profitability of matters and liaising with client with respect to invoices to ensure timely payment.

Working With Others

• Working within a team, delegating to, supervising and mentoring more junior members of the team and assisting with the development and training of more junior members of the team;
• Promoting a collegiate culture that respects diversity and encourages inclusion and facilitates collaboration with other practices and teams;
• Communicating promptly, positively and regularly to ensure your team feel informed and connected;
• Influencing diverse stakeholders to gain commitment and support;
• Demonstrating the firm’s values, generating loyalty, confidence and respect; and
• Actively seeking feedback from clients and colleagues, taking forward improvement ideas and identifying opportunities to use innovative practices.

Knowledge & Learning

• Developing and participating in group projects and initiatives including marketing and know‑how projects; and
• Keeping up‑to‑date with client industry developments and their implications.

About You

You will have:

• a minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience (or overseas equivalent with a minimum of 36 months fund experience);
• strong organisational skills and be capable of working on multiple matters whilst being proactive; and
• strong communication and inter‑personal skills and enjoy working as part of a team.

Our commitment to you

You will receive exposure to a wide range of interesting and challenging matters, covering both sponsor and investor work, across all major asset classes.

We are a growing and friendly practice, committed to provide you with the support and training you need to maximise your potential.

We place great value on working as a team in a positive, supportive, fair and open working environment. We respect and value difference but insist on inclusivity, celebrating all aspects of diversity because we want everyone to feel that they belong.

You will be challenged, mentored and supported in the development of your career and given access to professional learning and skills‑based programmes aimed at providing you with the tools to meet your career ambitions.

Linklaters also provides a comprehensive benefits package across Health & Wellbeing, Finance & Protection and Family & Lifestyle, designed to reward the vital contribution you'll be making to the team's and the firm's success.

This list of duties and responsibilities above is not exhaustive. It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for, the performance of this job. As such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.