Private Equity Secondaries 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.

You can expect:

• A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• The opportunity to support the firm's charity through volunteering leave
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
• Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from 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. 

Team Structure

The SH Secondaries team is a market-leading boutique. Ranked band 1 in Chambers it services the most complex and high profile secondaries transactions in the European mid-market. The group consists of both private funds lawyers and transactional lawyers, with every associate being trained on both LPAS and SPAs with a view to be an all-round player.Whilst it would be helpful to have had some exposure to secondaries deals, this role is not required to have an in-depth knowledge of the market. A background in either private funds or private equity M&A, such that the candidate would be able to participate actively in a transactional role is a minimum requirement.

The department runs regular legal training sessions covering the core practice areas listed above 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 growth and success.The secondaries team forms part of the wider SH private equity (PE) team. The private equity team of 9 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. It is the fastest growing team within Stephenson Harwood, both in terms of headcount and revenue.

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
• Supervision, training and mentoring of junior experience level team members
• 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

Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from 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

• Transactional lawyer with experience in private company M&A or experience in a private funds team - and ideally secondaries transactions
• Excellent academic and professional qualifications
• 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

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

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 2026

To 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: energy transition; life sciences and healthcare; private capital and funds; technology; transportation and trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.