Senior Fund Formation & Structuring Counsel (6+ PQE)

Location: New York, NY
Department: Legal & Compliance
Reports To: Managing Director (Legal, Europe)

Overview

We are seeking an experienced investment funds lawyer to join our Legal team in New York. The successful candidate will play a leading role in the structuring, formation, fundraising, and ongoing management of private investment funds across a range of strategies, including private equity, credit, real assets, infrastructure, secondaries, and other alternative investment products.

This position offers significant exposure to senior management, investment professionals, investor relations teams, and external counsel, and will be instrumental in supporting the continued growth of the firm’s global platform.

Key Responsibilities

Fund Formation & Structuring

• Lead the legal structuring and formation of private investment funds and related vehicles.
• Advise on fund domiciling, tax-efficient structures, regulatory considerations, and investor requirements.
• Coordinate the launch of commingled funds, co-investment vehicles, separately managed accounts, continuation funds, and special purpose vehicles.
• Manage all aspects of fund closings, including investor on-boarding and side letter negotiations.

Documentation & Negotiations

• Draft, review, and negotiate fund documentation, including:
  • Limited Partnership Agreements (LPAs)
  • Private Placement Memoranda (PPMs)
  • Subscription Agreements
  • Side Letters
  • Management and advisory agreements
  • Co-investment and feeder vehicle documentation
• Work closely with external counsel to ensure timely execution of fundraising initiatives.

Investor & Business Support

• Advise investor relations and fundraising teams on legal issues arising during capital raising processes.
• Provide legal support relating to institutional investor negotiations, including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, insurance companies, endowments, and family offices.
• Review and assess investor-specific requirements relating to governance, reporting, regulatory, ESG, and operational matters.

Regulatory & Strategic Advisory

• Advise on relevant U.S. securities laws and investment adviser regulations impacting private funds.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting fund sponsors and investment products.
• Support strategic initiatives involving new products, geographic expansion, and innovative investment structures.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with investment, finance, tax, compliance, operations, and product development teams.
• Assist with governance matters relating to fund entities and management companies.
• Support acquisitions, restructurings, GP-led transactions, and other strategic projects as required.

Qualifications

• J.D. from a leading law school.
• Admission to practice in New York (or eligibility to become admitted).
• Minimum 6 years of post-qualification experience gained at a top-tier law firm and/or leading asset manager.
• Significant experience advising on private fund formation and fund structuring matters.
• Strong knowledge of private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate, and/or hedge fund structures.
• Familiarity with the Investment Advisers Act, Securities Act, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Experience negotiating institutional investor side letters and fundraising documentation.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and project management skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience at a premier investment funds practice within an international law firm.
• In-house experience at a private markets asset manager.
• Exposure to European, Cayman, Luxembourg, Delaware, and offshore fund structures.
• Familiarity with continuation funds, GP-led transactions, and co-investment programs.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially minded with strong business judgement.
• Ability to manage multiple fundraising and structuring projects simultaneously.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Collaborative approach and ability to work effectively across global teams.

Compensation

Competitive compensation package, including base salary, annual bonus, carried interest participation (where applicable), comprehensive benefits, and long-term incentive opportunities.

Expected base salary range: $200,000 – $250,000+, depending on experience, credentials, and prior fund formation expertise.