Legal Counsel

Position Description

This is an exciting opportunity to join Partners Capital, a fast-growing global investment management firm, as its first legal hire in North America. Reporting to the Head of Legal and working closely with other in-house counsel based in the UK (London), the successful candidate would play a key role in the firm’s ambitious growth plans and responsibility for developing and building out its legal function in North America, offering a unique challenge and a platform for professional development in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

The role will provide exposure to a broad and diverse variety of legal matters across the business, including in relation to the firm’s investment program across all asset-classes, client contracting matters, US securities / regulatory matters applicable to a US registered investment adviser (working closely with the firm’s US Compliance function), corporate governance matters and general day-to-day corporate counsel work, including overseeing general commercial contracting matters for the business in the US.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing legal support and advice to staff across its global offices (US, UK, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong) on a broad range of matters, with a particular focus on the firm’s North America business operations.
• Assisting in the ongoing design, implementation and development of legal processes and procedures appropriate for a firm responsible for $60 billion of client AUM and supporting sustainable growth and development of the legal function within North America as the firm continues to expand.
• Collaborating closely with the firm’s investment research team on the legal aspects related to the firm’s investment program; in particular assisting the team with the review, negotiation and provision of insight and support with respect to matters related to investments into alternative/private markets investment funds (e.g., drafting and negotiating term sheets, private placement memoranda, limited partnership agreements, subscription agreements, side letters and other customary fund documentation).
• Advising on the formation and ongoing operation of investment vehicles and pooled funds managed by Partners Capital for its clients and the broader market, helping to review, design, structure and ultimately create new investment opportunities for clients and investors across different asset classes.
• Advising on the suite of evergreen private markets products, structured as US registered funds, for which the firm acts as sub-adviser, proactively assisting in the investments such funds make to underlying funds and other investments and ensuring compliance with the complex regulatory framework applicable to such products.
• Reviewing and negotiating investment management agreements and investment advisory agreements with prospective clients and assisting with amendments to existing client agreements.
• Partnering with the firm’s Compliance and Sustainable Investing teams to ensure legal documentation aligns with sustainable finance regulations across all jurisdictions in which the firm operates.
• Drafting and negotiating a variety of agreements, including service provider contracts (e.g., custodian, IT, software licenses, lease agreements).
• Supporting corporate governance and general corporate matters.
• Assisting with employment, data protection, and intellectual property issues, coordinating with external counsel when needed.
• Maintaining relationships with external legal counsel and helping to oversee relationships with our preferred external counsel across North America.
• Conducting ad-hoc legal research as required across a potentially wide range of matters applicable to the organization.
• Alongside the firm’s US Compliance Team, supporting regulatory compliance efforts applicable to an SEC registered investment adviser, contributing to policy development.
• Keeping the business informed of relevant legal and industry developments, ensuring the firm is in alignment with changing laws and practices.
• Assisting the legal function in reviewing and procuring AI legal technology to drive efficiency and accuracy in contract review, negotiation, and in respect of general contract life-cycle management, supporting the broader legal team’s goal of streamlining workflows and enhancing the firm's legal operations.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Responsible for ensuring all information security processes, policies and procedures are adhered to and any issues or concerns are raised with the Cyber Security team
• Ensure full compliance with all local data protection regulations and privacy controls, and any related issues are raised via the appropriate channels

Qualifications / Attributes

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the following qualifications and attributes:

• 5 years of experience at a high-profile US law firm with a strong focus on private and alternative investment funds. In-house experience preferred but is not required.
• Exemplary academic background, with a proven track record of excellence in law and relevant practice areas.
• In-depth experience with a range of alternative / private markets investment structures across asset-classes, including private equity and private debt funds, hedge funds (across the spectrum of strategies), and managed accounts. Familiarity with evergreen structures and US registered fund products is preferred.
• Demonstrable experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide variety of private markets fund documentation, including limited partnership agreements, term sheets, subscription agreements, and side letters.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage the full spectrum of legal matters for the firm’s North America business, while collaborating with and seeking guidance from senior legal colleagues in the UK. Comfortable being the sole legal resource in the US, with the capability to navigate complex legal issues independently.
• Experience working on cross-border legal matters.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence and diplomacy to interact with a fast-paced North American business with exacting and high standards. Ability to effectively communicate complex legal issues to non-legal stakeholders.
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage competing demands in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Strong judgment in deciding when to escalate issues to the Head of Legal or other Senior Counsel.
• Strong interpersonal skills, capable of engaging and building relationships with employees at all levels, across all the firm’s offices.
• Exceptional drafting skills and legal research capabilities, particularly in respect of investment management related matters.
• Solid financial and business awareness, with the ability to understand and address legal issues within a broader business and investment context.
• A curious and ambitious individual, eager to take on a broad role in a growing and evolving business, while maintaining a low ego and a collaborative approach.
• An open, transparent, and team-oriented individual motivated by the firm’s success as much as their own personal development.
• A demonstrable passion for the world of investment management, with a strong interest in the challenges and opportunities that come with supporting a global investment firm in a dynamic and evolving market.

Benefits

Benefits Partners Capital is committed to being a great place to work. We are focused both on wellbeing and professional growth. You can expect professional development and career progression opportunities, competitive compensation, exceptional benefits, and a flexible “results-focused” working model. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, paid time off and a 401(k) plan with employer matching. The Firm also supports global philanthropy via a charity program and volunteer day. In addition, we champion a variety of wellness and social events. We also support the pursuit of professional certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), etc.

Contact Details

Please send your CV to NorthAmericaRecruiting@partners-cap.com with the subject: Legal Counsel – North America. Further information about Partners Capital is available on our website www.partners-cap.com.

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