Corporate Private Equity Associate

What we will offer

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.

Team Structure

This role is to work with the private equity Partner which forms part of the wider corporate department. Whilst all associates within the team are actively encouraged to work for a wide range of partners to broaden their experience and expertise across the corporate disciplines; with the emphasis on flexibility of approach and being an "all-rounder", there will be an expectation for this role to have a primary focus on leading private equity transactional deals.

The private equity team sits within Stephenson Harwood’s award-winning corporate department. The corporate team of 4 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.

The department runs regular legal training sessions covering the core practice areas 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 future growth and success.

Main Responsibilities

• 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
• 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

The corporate team is hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from balancing 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.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Qualified lawyer with solid private equity and M&A experience of at least 6-8 years PQE (or equivalent experience will be considered)
• A demonstrable keen interest in corporate private equity
• Excellent academic background
• 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

About the Firm

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.

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 Values

Individuality - We encourage creativity and devlop talent.

Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard.

Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships.

Straight talking - We say what we mean and do what we say.

Our Vision into 2026To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships. This version is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character - the attributes we want to see from all of our people. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.