Associate - Portfolio Management

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

The Role

Group Overview

Our global Private Equity group lies at the heart of the Firm's business strategy and, in London, the group sits at the hub of our Corporate practice. It offers unparalleled opportunities to work on the most high-profile and market-leading mandates.  The group advises an impressive range of clients, covering a wide variety of financial sponsors (including many leading international private equity houses, infrastructure and other investment funds, banks and other financial institutions), their portfolio companies and management teams.  The group is supported by the Firm's integrated network of offices (providing the largest geographic coverage of any single law firm) as well as expertise in other key complementary practice areas (including acquisition finance, capital markets, funds and regulatory) and industry sectors to offer clients unrivalled strength and depth of resource.  

Our global team is best known for our capacity to lead on PE transactions of any nature and anywhere in the world. Having been leaders in PE since its inception 40 years ago  and with over 700 private equity lawyers across our offices, the diversity of our clients and product areas, the geographies we work in, and our wider industry knowledge gives us a global perspective on private equity trends and issues. 

We continue to be recognised by leading industry bodies for our market leading work with some of the largest global PE houses choosing to repeatedly work with us. 

Over the past 12 months, our London private equity team has advised the following PE clients on multiple deals: Ardian, Blackstone, Carlyle, Cinven, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, CVC, Davidson Kempner, Elliott, EQT, KKR, ONEX, PAI Partners, Partners Group, Permira, Rivean Capital, TPG.

Recent Awards include: 

• Chambers 2023 – Infrastructure (UK)
• Legal 500 2023 – Infrastructure (UK)
• Chambers 2023 – Private Equity (UK)

Below is a sample list of our notable PE Deals:  

• EQT on the acquisition of AMCS from Insight Capital and other
• Permira on its sale of alterDomus to Cinven
• Partners Group on its transaction to increase its equity stake in Swiss watchmaker Breitling
• CD&R portfolio company WSH on their acquisition of Notes Coffee
• Blackstone on the merger of its portfolio company The Office Group (TOG) with Fora
• a PE bidder on its proposed acquisition of Fedrigoni, the Italian paper manufacturer, from Bain Capital
• Onex on its acquisition of Independent Clinical Services from TowerBrook Capital
• CVC and Cinven on their acquisition of the NewDay Group for £1.1 billion

Who you will work with

The lawyers in our Private Equity group are at the centre of market leading transactions, not only as legal advisers but working closely with clients at a strategic and business level. The entrepreneurial nature of the Private Equity deals that we work on requires lawyers with a unique blend of specialist skills. In today's challenging market environment, we play a key role to our clients as a strategic adviser, requiring practical, commercially minded legal advice to help them and their portfolio companies respond swiftly and effectively to the challenges and opportunities they face.

A core part of our private equity offering is our portfolio asset management team, who work with private equity clients and their investee companies during the lifecycle of their investment. This is primarily an opportunity to work within that team.

What you will be responsible for

Working on certain aspects of portfolio management, including the following workstreams:

• Overseeing, coordinating and drafting documents related to asset restructurings, including in relation to private equity, infrastructure, real estate and debt investments
• Developing relationships with clients and actively engaging in business development and thought leadership initiatives and seeking out opportunities for new work
• Assisting with various corporate matters relating to portfolio companies of sponsors
• Drafting legal documents clearly and concisely, creating solutions using legal knowledge and commercial judgement to advise and support leading multi-national corporates
• Project managing and supervising paralegals and trainees as part of a matter team

Your Experience

You will have a background in private equity and/or corporate work, with solid technical skills gained through working in a similar group probably at a city firm or equivalent in house role, or at an overseas common law practice with a highly regarded profile.

An outstanding academic history and proven first rate legal skills, combined with a strong reputation for providing commercial solutions, excellent transactional and managements skills, and be recognised as a lawyer that is sought out by existing clients.

You will naturally be able to demonstrate excellent document drafting skills. You should demonstrate strong communication and analytical skills along with a high level of commercial awareness.

You will need to demonstrate that you can thrive in a team with high professional standards and a flexible client-friendly commercial approach. You will have had strong exposure of collaborating with multi-jurisdictional and multi-disciplinary teams.

It is crucial that you can demonstrate an appetite for business development, client relationship management and thought leadership.

How we will support you

From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.

About the Firm

Whatever your area of expertise, you will find a range of career opportunities at Clifford Chance. And wherever you’re heading, Clifford Chance is where you can be true to your ambitions.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. In a world where commercial success increasingly relies on globalisation, we offer clients a truly international perspective, and we offer our people a rewarding and stimulating career.

We're proud of our approachable, friendly, and team-based way of working. Highly professional and self-assured, with an entrepreneurial streak, our people are more than happy to share their expertise and knowledge.

Equal Opportunities

At Clifford Chance we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. Find out more here.