Legal Counsel & Support (PE)
Our expertise is your opportunity.
O | Legal Recruiting Verticals:
Legal support and in-house counsel teams, especially with alt. investment firms, are responsible for interpreting regulatory frameworks, negotiating agreements, and developing both legal and business operations policies. Support and expertise are across hedge funds, private equity firms, venture capital, and other investment entities, and all contribute to maintaining a firm’s operational integrity while managing legal and reputational risks.
Responsibilities:
- Provide legal support across global offices, influencing business operations and strategy
- Collaborate with investment research teams to review, negotiate, and provide guidance on alternative/private markets investment funds, including term sheets, private placement memoranda, and limited partnership agreements.
- Advise on fund formation and operations, working on the structuring and creation of investment vehicles and pooled funds across various asset classes.
- Negotiate investment management and advisory agreements with prospective clients and amend existing agreements as needed.
- Partner with Compliance and Sustainable Investing teams to align legal documentation with evolving regulations across multiple jurisdictions.
- Draft and negotiate service provider agreements, including custodian contracts, IT licensing, and lease agreements.
- Support corporate governance and regulatory compliance efforts, particularly for SEC-registered investment advisers.
- Oversee relationships with external legal counsel, managing engagements and maintaining strategic partnerships with preferred advisors.
Key Functions
Hedge Funds vs. PE & VC:
- Hedge funds operate in liquid markets with high-touch trading strategies, requiring legal teams to focus on trading compliance, regulatory filings, and especially counterparty risk management. Legal professionals will become SME’s in short-selling rules, derivatives regulations, and anti-money laundering policies. Private equity and venture capital firms, in some contrast, engage in longer-term investments with a focus on acquisition structuring, fund governance, and investor relations. Legal teams in these environments spend more time on transactional law, fund formation, and navigating international investment restrictions. Negotiating deal terms, conducting due diligence, and structuring exit strategies are all components for these legal teams top to bottom.
U.S. vs. Global Considerations:
- Legal teams working within U.S. alternative investment firms must navigate SEC regulations and state-specific investment laws. Compliance with the 1940’s Act and tax considerations under the IRS code play a large role in a fund’s structure and overall compensation plans. For global firms, there are additional legal areas, including GDPR compliance for investor data, cross-border tax treaties, and adhering to regulators like the FCA (UK), ESMA (EU), and MAS (Singapore). Understanding international fund structuring, transfer pricing laws, and foreign investment restrictions may be essential for legal professionals in these roles.
Supporting Other Teams:
Legal support teams provide strategic guidance across various functions:
- Compliance & Risk Management: Work closely to develop policies that align with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
- Investor Relations & Fundraising: Assist with due diligence requests, disclosures, and marketing materials to uphold legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
- Finance & Tax Teams: Advise on fund structuring, carried interest, and tax-efficient strategies for investors and portfolio companies.
- Operations & HR: Address employment agreements, compensation structures, and internal governance matters.
- Investment Teams: Review and negotiate deal terms, assist with contract execution, and support portfolio management strategies.
Helpful Legal Designations & Career Resources:
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Attorney (CMAA)
- Certified Securities Lawyer (CSL)
- SEC & FINRA Regulatory Compliance Courses
- Investment Company Institute (ICI) Legal Forums
O | Representative Direct Hire Legal Searches:
Fund Counsel, Compliance & Legal Officer, Private Equity Legal Associate, Hedge Fund General Counsel, Regulatory Affairs Associate, Alternative Investments Legal Consultant, Chief Legal Officer (CLO)Transactional Attorney for Investment Funds, Managing Director, Legal & Compliance, Director of Legal Operations, Legal Affairs Associate
7-Step Origin Staffing Candidate Process
Results are achieved by understanding the “why”. Details matter. Let’s partner up & get it done.
- Introductory Call / Meeting
- Resume Strategy
- Determining search parameters
- Origin Staffing will only show you opportunities within set parameters. We always present the whole story behind the openings – including describing the company’s business infrastructure / future growth plans, reason for opening, team structure, general compensation & benefits info, job description and most importantly any specific color on the opportunity directly from the hiring manager.
- We NEVER send your resume to any companies until we receive your permission – “Green light with interest to pursue”
- Every company has a different interview process – some just want to get to know you, some will grill you on a technical level, some expect you to know specifics about them, some have deal breaker parameters not shown on the job description. This is only on a company level. Then each interviewer has their own style.
- We’ll prep you to help navigate this minefield, and make sure you make a great 1st, 2nd and sometimes 3rd impression.
- On the other side – most interviews are very informational in nature – hence we’ll help you fine-tune the appropriate questions to ask (and sometimes most importantly to avoid) to get the information necessary to make the right decision @ the end of an interview process.
- This happens early in the process, in the middle of interviewing, and at the “decision step”. Origin Staffing is incentivized to make sure you are excited about an offer package.
- References, Giving Notice, Background Checks, taking time off in between positions, making the right 1st impression with the new company. All of these steps can be tricky to navigate – we’ll be there by your side offering support & guidance.
- Over 80% of our business is from referrals – we’d love to stay in touch long term & be your “Go To” recruiting agency in Boston for the remainder of your career. Your professional interests will evolve over the years and we’ll be there to support you.
- Additionally, as you progress your career and have direct reports to hire, we’ll be there to fill out your team with top talent.