Paralegal - Private Funds 12-month FTC

We are recruiting a Paralegal to join our Private Funds group on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

About Macfarlanes

Macfarlanes is a pre-eminent law firm that serves a global client base in private capital, private wealth, M&A and disputes. Personal connection, an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to excellence are at the heart of our firm. These values drive our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.

We are big enough to undertake the most complex and demanding mandates yet small enough to know each other well and to be agile, adapting to the needs of our clients. We seek to strengthen the firm by recruiting talented people from all backgrounds who want to build long-lasting and impactful careers with us. Our culture is challenging and supportive, creating an environment where individuals can thrive.

What this means for you

Joining Macfarlanes means being part of a collaborative, Partner-led team where you’ll develop and learn from experienced lawyers and business professionals. Our size means you’ll be given genuine responsibility early on and often be involved at the heart of client matters, gaining insight into how our high-quality legal advice is developed and delivered to help clients overcome their most pressing issues. 

You’ll work closely with senior colleagues who are approachable and who want you to succeed. You’ll be encouraged to get involved in client and business development activities, and you’ll be recognised for your contribution.

The majority of our work has a cross-border focus, so you’ll often collaborate with global clients and specialist advisers in overseas jurisdictions. You’ll build connections with international law firms, broaden your experience, and be part of a multidisciplinary team that comes together to achieve the best results.

We also place real importance on your development. Our training and mentoring programmes are second to none, and designed to help you strengthen your legal and commercial skills.

Above all, you’ll be part of a firm where we all work together as part of a cohesive and supportive team, where you’ll be recognised and appreciated, and encouraged to succeed.

Practice overview

Our Private Funds practice consists of five Partners, one Senior Counsel, four Senior Associates, 14 Associates, five Trainee Solicitors, 15 Paralegals and one Senior Knowledge Lawyer. 

We are one of the broadest based Private Funds practices in London. Our work covers the entire spectrum of private funds work from private equity, private debt, venture capital, infrastructure, real estate and hedge funds through to regulated funds. Our major areas of focus at the moment are on private equity managers, private debt, institutional asset managers and VC managers. We are also doing a lot of interesting work on hybrid funds (blending closed-ended funds with open-ended funds) and for alternatives managers looking to attract capital from DC pension funds and the mass-affluent.

The role

The individual will be required to carry out a broad range of good quality work. Key duties will include:

Signing related tasks:

• managing the signing process and the relationship with each stakeholder (internal client teams, external law firms, service providers, notaries etc.); and
• review of corporate details and signature blocks in documents shared for execution.

General corporate governance tasks (Luxembourg and multi-jurisdictions):

• assist with the set-up of various structures (fund and corporate) across multiple jurisdictions (including but not limited to Luxembourg);
• assist with keeping corporate records up to date (e.g. filing of documents on the company drives and ensuring corporate filings are carried out as and when required);
• assist with fund board and shareholder meetings, including: the set-up and coordination of board meetings, drafting of notices and agendas, collation of board packs and reviewing minutes or resolutions;
• provide assistance during and outside of meetings to all stakeholders;
• assist on audit queries on a yearly basis (assist in sourcing agreements, minutes, resolutions etc.); and
• assist with ad hoc administrative tasks as and when required.

Governance committee meetings tasks:

• assist with taking/drafting of minutes; and 
• assist with follow up of action items.

The successful candidate will work five days of the week with the client. This is a great opportunity to gain experience of life on the client side.

This job description encompasses the main duties of the role and is by no means exhaustive. It is anticipated that duties may vary from time to time according to the needs of the practice area.

The individual will also receive the departmental training given to trainees.

The candidate

The successful candidate will have strong academic qualifications from degree upwards and will have ideally completed the legal practice course (LPC) or solicitors qualifying examinations (SQE).

Ideally, the candidate will have worked at a bank or asset manager and have some similar company secretarial or corporate governance experience. Experience drafting meeting minutes will also be advantageous.

The individual will be self-motivated, organised, interested in, and committed to providing high quality technical legal support in a practical context. Strong attention to detail is essential, along with excellent time management skills and a meticulous approach to work.

The candidate must take a pro-active stance, able to work independently following appropriate instruction or in a team and take responsibility for the work product delivered.

Paralegal development programme

We have a paralegal development programme which is designed to equip our paralegals with the broad range of skills and knowledge they need to be effective in their roles. The programme also includes sessions covering essential legal and business skills required at the start of a career in law, recognising the fact that many solicitors begin their careers as paralegals. 

Routes to qualification

Paralegals looking to qualify as associates are encouraged to apply for our Training Programme. They can do so once they have completed six months’ employment, subject to certain conditions.

Some paralegals may prefer not to (or are unable to) undertake the Training Programme route for a variety of reasons, choosing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) route instead. The firm will offer study leave and exam leave for paralegals sitting the SQE, and will sign off QWE (that meets the SRA’s requirements) gained at Macfarlanes. Internal paralegals that have qualified in this way may be considered for NQ vacancies not filled by those qualifying through the firm’s Training Programme and where the firm is or may be looking to recruit externally providing they have completed at least one year of their QWE at Macfarlanes and passed both SQE 1 and SQE 2 on the first attempt.

Application screening

Any offer of employment with us is subject to our pre-employment checks which are conducted by a third-party screening provider. These may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, any criminal records and employment references. These checks will be initiated with your consent and your offer will be subject to the successful completion of these checks. 

Our commitment to inclusion

Inclusion is one of our key priorities and it is a goal we are actively working towards. We believe that an inclusive, forward-thinking culture is intrinsically important and enables us to provide innovative solutions to our clients.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and experiences, making Macfarlanes an exciting and stimulating place to work. We seek to recruit the best candidates, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation or any other characteristic.

As part of this commitment, we will ask you certain diversity data questions. We would really appreciate you and/or your recruiter completing these questions when submitting an application to Macfarlanes as this data enables us to measure our progress and identify any actions needed to continue to support an inclusive culture. This data is anonymised to maintain the privacy of applicants. If you have any questions relating to how this data is used, please contact a member of the recruitment team.

Should you require any adjustments during the application and/or interview process, please do not hesitate to inform your recruiter or a member of the recruitment team. Please note, the job description is available in other accessible formats (for example, large print).

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who best meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please email the recruitment team at [email protected].