Private Equity Associate

Corporate (Private Equity) Associates - 1–5PQE - Elite US Firm A rare opportunity to join the corporate practice of an elite US firm as it builds out its Private Equity offering with five associate roles open across 1–5PQE. This is a genuine growth story, and early joiners will help shape the platform rather than inherit one already built. The team sits within a well-established, well-resourced corporate practice with strong partner support and a genuinely lean structure meaning associates are trusted with real responsibility well ahead of their PQE level, rather than waiting years for exposure.

About the team: Sits within a wider corporate group of 12 partners and c.30 associates Corporate M&A generalist focus with a clear strength in private equity work Broader exposure than many PE-focused teams — this is not a pure LBO shop, and the mandate spans a wide range of high-value corporate matters Meritocratic culture — workload and progression are not dictated purely by PQE Genuine room for long-term partnership progression, without the senior bottleneck seen at more established platforms Lean, partner-led environment offering direct access and exposure to complex, high-value transactions What they're looking for: 1–5PQE corporate generalists with a clear affinity for private equity work Trained and qualified at a Magic Circle or Elite US firm Commercially minded, confident operators who thrive with autonomy rather than heavy structure Team players with no ego, willing to turn their hand to unfamiliar work Foreign-qualified candidates considered, provided they have strong London experience Candidates with limited PE experience but a genuine willingness to learn are welcome, as are LBO specialists looking to diversify and generalist corporate/M&A lawyers looking to build a PE practice Compensation & Benefits: Cravath scale elite US market-leading compensation NQ salary from $235,000 Summer and year-end bonuses, plus sign-on bonuses available Choice of fixed or variable FX rate on pay Personalised, individual training plans for every associate Dedicated knowledge lawyers and talent development managers supporting each practice group 1:1 mentoring for every associate, alongside a wider support network Strong track record of secondments, including in-house placements and international rotations Access to bespoke US-focused training programmes for more senior associates Excellent office environment — collaborative culture, open-door policy across partners and associates, and strong social scene Process: A typically 2–3 stage process involving partner meetings, with additional technical or informal stages depending on seniority. This is a highly selective search for top-tier profiles looking to join a lean, high-calibre corporate team with genuine partner access, broad M&A exposure, and elite compensation with the potential to establish a visible, senior presence within a growing practice rather than being one of many.