Associate, Investment Funds

Our Investment Funds Practice provides comprehensive legal services for all aspects of fundraising related to private investment funds. We guide clients through the structuring, formation and closing of fund vehicles across a wide range of asset classes, including private equity, venture capital, infrastructure, credit, real estate and sustainability/impact investing. We offer strategic advice to institutional investors, such as sovereign wealth funds, pension schemes, corporates and family offices, on potential investments into these funds. Additionally, our practice supports institutional investors with the buying or selling of existing fund interests through privately organized secondary transactions and investments into continuation funds. By helping clients navigate the complexities of fundraising and investment, our Investment Funds team ensures successful outcomes and supports sustainable growth.

Position Summary 
We are looking for a senior lawyer to join our market leading Asia-Pacific Investment Funds practice, to be based in Hong Kong.

As an Associate, you will apply good judgment and excellent analytical skills to your work. Highly organised and self-motivated, you’ll be a team player with a strong professional presence and client focus. With experience in private closed-end PE-style funds and open-end funds across a range of strategies, including real estate, PE, special situations, credit and distressed debt, you will be joining a strong team with fantastic career progression opportunities. 

Committed and personable, you should enjoy working within large groups of lawyers and industry professionals, and managing the interests of all stakeholders, who will include leading financial institutions, SWFs, insurance companies, pension plans and regional and global fund managers. This collaborative mindset should be balanced by the independence of thought and action—an ability to proactively anticipate clients’ needs and generate creative solutions to their problems. 

Keeping abreast of regulatory changes as well as the wider economic climate, you will also be adept at distilling complex information into clear, insightful analyses that inform and strengthen your client’s position. Strong organizational and time management skills will also be significant assets, enabling you to manage multiple workstreams and produce exceptional work to tight deadlines.

At White & Case, we’ll support you, give you responsibility and welcome you as an integral member of our international team from day one. We foster a collegial working environment where partners are friendly and accessible, and colleagues always supportive and open to questions.
 
Key responsibilities 

• Leading on drafting, negotiating and reviewing fund documentation including PPMs, LPAs, Articles, investor side letters, legal opinions, subscription agreements and advisory agreements
• Leading workstreams on secondaries transactions, including GP-led restructurings, continuation funds, preferred equity and portfolio secondary sales
• Drafting and negotiating term sheets and issues lists for fund formation and secondaries transactions
• Issue spotting and advising on legal, commercial and regulatory matters, including cross-border aspects
• Liaising with internal regulatory and specialist teams, including in other offices, and interfacing directly with clients and counterparties
• Managing client matters from initial briefing to completion, including supervising and mentoring junior associates and trainees
• Assisting with and taking ownership of preparation of team thought leadership, client alerts and internal know-how

The skills and attributes we are looking for 

• 5-8 PQE
• Common law (England & Wales, Hong Kong, Singapore) or US qualified 
• Experience in private PE-style fund formation and co-investment transactions and related work from an international law firm 
• Good understanding of the key risks and issues involved in cross-border, investment fund transactions
• Strong academic record and intellectual curiosity, creative and analytical thinker
• Outstanding communication skills - written and verbal
• Strong time management skills, ability to stay composed under pressure when working across multiple projects
• Client service focus and commercial awareness
• Independent but also a team player
• Strong judgment
   

This role reports to

Partner

Equal Opportunities

White & Case is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm’s policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.
 
If you require assistance and/or adjustment to participate in our application and/or interview process, please email us. We will be happy to work with you.

The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

Note to Recruitment Agencies

Our internal Recruitment team manages all aspects of lateral hiring. All agencies must have signed terms of business—specific to the relevant office—before submitting any candidates. CVs or applications sent directly to White & Case partners or employees will also not be considered formal introductions. If you have questions, please contact the relevant Recruitment team. We work with our preferred suppliers when engaging agencies.