Skadden advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies at all stages of the downstream investment cycle, including leverage buyouts, co and minority investments, management incentive plans, financings and refinancings, bolt-on investments, management change, recaps, corporate restructurings and exits.
Skadden also supports portfolio companies on legal issues that typically arise under private equity ownership and leveraged structures, with a particular focus on matters impacting the capital structure (including repatriation of equity from good / bad leavers and the issue of reserved equity to new joiners).
Skadden has been ranked as a leading law firm for private equity by IFLR1000 2020 and in the top tier for leveraged buyouts and private equity law by U.S. News — Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2019. Our attorneys repeatedly have been listed as Leading Lawyers for private equity by Chambers Global, Chambers USA, Chambers Europe and Chambers UK. |
The new hire will join the private equity team of the Corporate group, focusing their time on Private Equity transactions in the UK, Europe and globally. We are looking for an individual with 4-5 years' relevant post qualification experience in a top tier private equity practice in the London market or experience in a similar common law jurisdiction (although those with less or more relevant experience will be considered on their merits).
The successful candidate will have solid Private Equity experience, including some or all of drafting and negotiating locked box and completion accounts SPAs (although we appreciate that experience of the former may be stronger given market conditions in recent years), management incentive documents (including leaver terms) and shareholders' agreements, alongside supervising junior colleagues on NDAs, engagement letters, disclosure letters, diligence reports and other ancillary documents. We would expect the successful candidate to have some experience of the structuring of private equity transactions and reviewing and commenting on funds flows. This role is well suited for a candidate who has had broad experience of Private Equity transactions and is ready to take the next step in their career into leading deals in a pro-active way, reporting directly to partners and counsel in the team and communicating with clients, while leading on the drafting of sophisticated documentation and supervising more junior colleagues on other areas of the typical private equity process.
Excellent written communication and drafting skills are required as well as the ability to demonstrate initiative. You must also possess the skills to take on a high degree of responsibility and manage a challenging work load within a fast paced and friendly environment. A desire to get involved in marketing, knowhow and pro-bono initiatives is also required. A first-class academic record is essential. |
We pay generous rates and provide our lawyers with a highly competitive benefits package. As of 2023, the package includes:
- Discretionary year-end bonus
- Technology allowance
- 22 days holiday and 3 personal days
- Enhanced Family leave
- Private medical insurance
- Permanent health insurance
- Life assurance
- Interest free season ticket loan
- Gym allowance
Mentoring and Hybrid Working
Associates who join Skadden laterally participate in our mentor program, Skadden Integration+, which specifically focuses on the unique needs experienced attorneys face during professional transitions.
These efforts, along with our professional development and other Skadden benefits, including a hybrid work model (which remains subject to review), currently consists of working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the office (for full-time attorneys), and living proximate to the office, underscores Skadden's long-standing commitment to investing in its people, culture and diversity.
From 2023 our London office will be located at 22 Bishopsgate in the City of London. |
Skadden has a sophisticated training programme that includes both in-house and external seminars and training sessions. We also pride ourselves on providing our lawyers with "on-the-job" training and constructive "real-time" partner feedback. The formal training programme includes:
- Regular private equity team meetings
- Regular corporate know-how meetings.
- Weekly and monthly training seminars and workshops for all levels covering legal topics relevant to the firm’s practice areas and skills. These are presented by partners and associates and external specialists, QC’s and other professionals.
- Live video-links to seminars presented across Skadden’s network of offices.
Pro bono
Skadden strongly encourages its lawyers to assist, through pro bono work, those individual and groups unable to afford legal services. A number of pro-bono opportunities are also
available to our lawyers through our pro-bono programme. We are affiliated to LawWorks, a registered charity which supplies pro-bono projects to the firm.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental to our success as a global law firm, giving us a wealth of different perspectives from which to address our clients’ most pressing issues across a wide spectrum of industries, geographies and cultures. We strive to develop initiatives at Skadden to specifically address diversity, equity and inclusion goals — including for recruiting, professional development, attorney retention and advancement, and cross-cultural awareness — while also continually inculcating inclusion principles into the fabric of the firm. This includes ensuring that all job applicants are treated fairly regardless of, for example, age, disability, sex, race and sexual orientation as per our Equal Employment Opportunity statement. If you require adjustments to be made during the selection process, please speak to a member of the recruitment team (Nicola Kerley, Attorney Recruiting Manager nicola.kerley@skadden.com). |