Associate, Investment Funds

White & Case LLP; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 260,000 - 390,000; Full time

Job summary

White & Case LLP is seeking a junior to mid-level Associate to join the Investment Funds practice in New York, focusing on private funds, primary/secondary investments, and related regulatory matters. The role involves collaborating with leading sponsors and global investors on complex fund structures and governance issues.

You will work on domestic and cross-border mandates involving private equity and real assets, gaining early responsibility and exposure to sponsor- and investor-side work in

Qualifications

• JD/LL.M. or foreign equivalent from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the New York Bar (or eligibility) and in good standing.
• Approximately 3-6 years of relevant experience in private funds and investment management at a leading firm or in-house.
• Experience advising on private fund formation and/or institutional investments into private funds.

Responsibilities

• Advise investment managers on fund formation and capital-raising activities; draft fund documents and side letters.
• Assist with GP stakes transactions and the structuring of investment management firms.
• Advise on secondary investments and private asset portfolios for institutional investors.
• Collaborate with colleagues across finance, tax, regulatory, and M&A to deliver integrated solutions.
• Take ownership of key transaction aspects and coordinate execution with partners and clients.

Skills

Drafting & negotiation

Cross-border collaboration

Client service orientation

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or LL.M.

Job description

Our Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Practice is globally recognized as a top-tier leader in both public and private M&A transactions. We deliver unparalleled legal services for complex corporate deals, offering strategic planning, due diligence, negotiation, and execution of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other business combinations. Serving a diverse clientele, including multinational corporations, private equity firms and banks, our team ensures regulatory compliance, manages risk, and structures transactions for optimal outcomes. By combining extensive legal expertise with deep market insight, we help clients navigate high-stakes transactions, fostering growth and creating value, solidifying our reputation as one of the premier M&A practices worldwide.

Position Summary

We are seeking a junior to mid-level Associate to join our Investment Funds practice, focusing on private funds and institutional investors. The role will involve working with leading international fund sponsors and large global investors on a broad range of private fund formations, primary and secondary investments, and related regulatory and investment management matters.

The successful candidate will work on sophisticated domestic and cross-border mandates involving private equity, real assets and other alternative investment strategies, including structuring and documenting private funds, advising on investments into funds, and supporting clients on ongoing operational, governance and regulatory issues. The practice offers the opportunity to work closely with partners recognized as leading practitioners in fund formation and investor representation, and to develop market-leading experience in both sponsor-side and investor-side work.

Associates in our group gain meaningful responsibility from an early stage, work directly with partners and clients, and are involved in matters spanning North America, EMEA and APAC. Our team values collaboration, excellence and professional development and fosters a supportive, in-person office culture that emphasizes learning, mentorship and long-term career progression within a top-tier global private funds platform.

Duties and Accountabilities

• Advise investment managers with respect to fund formation and capital raising activities, draft fund documents, assist with investor negotiations and the documentation of side letters and similar arrangements.
• Assist investment managers, partners, and institutional investors with respect to “GP stakes” transactions and seeding arrangements and the structuring of investment management firms.
• Advise secondary buyers and sellers of interests in private investment funds and private asset portfolios.
• Advise institutional investors with respect to investments in private funds, co-investments and related transactions.
• Take ownership of key aspects of transactions, managing drafting processes and coordinating execution with partners, clients, opposing counsel and internal teams.
• Work on investment management–adjacent M&A and strategic transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, business combinations, joint ventures and strategic collaborations involving investment managers and other financial institutions.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across finance, tax, regulatory, intellectual property and M&A practices to deliver integrated, business-focused solutions.
• Develop into a trusted advisor by gaining a strong understanding of both the legal and commercial aspects of transactions.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree (or LL.M./foreign equivalent) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the New York Bar (or eligibility to become admitted) and in good standing.
• Approximately 3-6 years of relevant experience in private funds and investment management at a leading law firm or in-house.
• Experience advising on private fund formation and/or institutional investments into private funds, including familiarity with primary and secondary transactions.
• Demonstrated interest in and familiarity with regulatory and marketing issues affecting private funds and investment managers, including US and cross-border considerations.
• Strong drafting, analytical and negotiation skills, with the ability to handle complex documentation and competing workstreams.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to understand and articulate the broader business and strategic context of fund and investor mandates.
• Strong communication, organization and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple matters efficiently and perform well under pressure.
• Client-service oriented, collaborative and proactive, with enthusiasm for working with international clients and cross-border teams.
• Driven by professional growth and long-term interest in private funds and investment management.
• Fluency in English; prior experience with international clients or cross-border work is a plus.

Location and Compensation

• Location: New York
• Compensation: US$260,000 - $390,000

This role reports to

Partner

Equal Opportunities

White & Case is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm’s policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact [e-mail].

Benefits at White & Case

White & Case LLP offers a comprehensive suite of benefit programs to all eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, 401(k) retirement savings, vacation time, and leave programs (including parental leave). Exempt roles are also performance bonus eligible.

The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

Note to Recruitment Agencies

Our internal Recruitment team manages all aspects of lateral hiring. All agencies must have signed terms of business—specific to the relevant office—before submitting any candidates. CVs or applications sent directly to White & Case partners or employees will also not be considered formal introductions. If you have questions, please contact the relevant Recruitment team. We work with our preferred suppliers when engaging agencies.