Associate, Private Equity - Leading Global Law Firm (1-4 PQE)

Job description

Our client is a top-tier international law firm seeking to strengthen its London private equity capability with the addition of a high-calibre associate. The role sits within a market-leading transactional team advising financial sponsors, long-term capital providers and corporates on complex domestic and cross-border investments.

This position offers exposure to the full private equity lifecycle, including minority and growth investments, control transactions, exits and ongoing portfolio work. The successful candidate will work closely with a highly regarded London-based partner who is deeply embedded in the sponsor community and regularly instructed on headline transactions across multiple sectors.

The Role

The associate will be involved in a broad mix of sponsor-led and strategic matters, often acting as a core team member from early structuring through execution and completion. The practice is particularly active in complex acquisitions, carve-outs and transformational transactions, as well as investment strategies focused on scaling platforms through follow-on acquisitions.

The team also advises on innovative transaction structures, including public-to-private deals, de-SPAC combinations and cross-border investments involving multiple stakeholder groups.

Key Responsibilities

• Advising private equity houses, sovereign-backed investors and family offices on acquisitions, disposals and strategic investments
• Supporting growth capital and minority investment transactions alongside management teams and founders
• Acting on buy-and-build strategies and add-on acquisitions for portfolio companies
• Advising on exit processes, including trade sales and sponsor-to-sponsor transactions
• Handling portfolio company matters across the investment lifecycle
• Working on transactions spanning a range of industries, with particular depth in technology-enabled businesses, education platforms and consumer-facing brands

Candidate Profile

• England & Wales qualified
• 1 - 4 PQE
• Strong experience in private equity or corporate M&A from a recognised UK Law firm
• Comfortable running workstreams and managing transaction processes with appropriate supervision
• Commercially minded, with the ability to advise sponsor clients in fast-moving deal environments
• Strong drafting skills and experience negotiating key transaction documents

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to join a highly active private equity practice with direct access to partner-level clients and sophisticated transactions. The role offers genuine responsibility, early client exposure and the chance to build a long-term private equity skillset within a globally integrated platform.

Rutherford is a leading legal recruiter that also works closely with tier one sponsors, buyside firms and investment banks for in-house roles. Please get in contact if you would like to be alerted to the most exciting Counsel opportunities.

To find more of our jobs please visit our website:

https://www.rutherfordsearch.com/jobs

Job Reference: NWC3313

Keywords:

Private equity, M&A, sponsor advisory, growth equity, buyouts, carve-outs, portfolio company work, exits, London, cross-border transactions, financial sponsors, corporate acquisitions, PE associate, international law firm

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

City of London

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

01-03-2026

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English