Associate / Senior Associate / Principal Associate

About Gowling WLG Gowling WLG is an international law firm created by Gowlings, a leading Canadian law firm, and Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co (WLG), a leading UK-based international law firm. We built Gowling WLG to provide clients with legal services at home and around the world, and to help you succeed no matter how challenging the circumstances. Gowling WLG clients have access to in-depth expertise in key global sectors along with a top-tier suite of legal services. With more than 1,400 legal professionals across offices in 18 cities worldwide and specialised expertise in countries around the globe, we're positioned to help clients rise to the challenges they face - both today and tomorrow. About the Team We are a team that enjoys what we do. We like to work hard - but we enjoy collaboration and sharing ideas/experience on how to address novel issues. We deliver our advice in a robust, technically excellent but pragmatic and friendly manner and in a business-driven commercial context. Main Purpose of the Job We are looking for a dynamic corporate lawyer to join our private investment funds team based in Birmingham. Our private funds team establish all manner of joint venture/funds vehicles including: Corporate entities; partnerships - being largely limited partnerships, private fund limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships; contractual JVs; co-ownership structures and trusts; offshore structures (principally, Luxembourg, Channel Island and Isle of Man). Main Duties and Responsibilities In addition to the establishment of such entities we also advise on acquisitions/divestments by such entities; restructuring and the key contracts entered into by such entities (such as investment management agreements). The team works very closely with the tax and financial services team as these are important factors in determining investment and JV structures. We also advise large investors looking to invest in existing funds (including onshore and offshore hedge funds, private equity funds and real estate funds). Investment stakes are usually between GBP40m to GBP400m. These investments can be UK-based but can often be offshore (e.g., US, BVI, European). The team also specialise in indirect real estate transactions. This includes buying and selling substantial real estate that is held within a corporate SPV or other 'wrapper' - e.g., buying and selling units in an offshore property unit trust; or buying and selling interests in an English limited company or partnership or a UK LLP; and buying and selling shares in non-UK companies. Our sector focus includes: real estate; tech; private equity; financial services; public sector; energy and pensions. Our clients include: fund managers; institutional investors; equity houses; major corporates; international groups; and high net worth individuals/family offices. Key skills and experience We want to invest in a corporate/funds lawyer with appropriate qualifications and relevant experience. You will be a qualified solicitor. You will have substantial and broad corporate law experience, and the drive and decisiveness to close a transaction quickly and efficiently. You will have excellent academic qualifications and analytical skills. You will have a hands-on, practical and solutions-driven approach and an interest to develop your corporate legal experience into investment funds. You will have a range of M&A and joint venture experience including some of the more complex corporate transactions. You will be interested in the design and implementation of corporate, partnership, trust and hybrid structures. You will have specific experience in or an interest to specialise in indirect/corporate real estate. Experience of international and cross-border transactions would be an advantage. You will be a key member of our team, working on the corporate aspects of our projects and working closely at times with our tax and financial services specialists. You will work closely with, and report directly to, the partners in the team. Being a team player is important to us. You will have enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn and to teach; being collaborative in your approach. Supervision, training, mentoring and delegation skills will all be useful. We would expect that you have some involvement in business development and the ambition and drive to help to expand the practice further through growth of top-line revenue and profit.. You will have a range of ideas of your own on how you see the market moving and what opportunities and risks are on the horizon. . You should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with good attention to detail. Your actions should inspire confidence in clients, partners and peers alike. You will have good experience of public speaking Working in an inclusive, sharing and collaborative culture, your success will be integral to ensure the continuing success and growth of the team over the long term. Equal Opportunities Gowling WLG is committed both to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment. The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion, caste or belief, age, disability, gender, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnerships, surrogacy, adoption and parental rights. This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment.