Private Equity Lawyer - Senior Associate - sub Sahara Africa focus - top U.S. law firm

The Client 

Our client is a top U.S. law firm with long established offices located in the key jurisdictions that matter today. The firm’s London office ranks amongst the most well established and highly ranked in the City. They offer a broad range of legal services to their clients including their private equity practice which acts on behalf of leading investment banks and large, mid-cap and boutique PE funds.

The PE team is integrated and multi-disciplinary collaborating across their network of offices providing a seamless service to their clients across all jurisdictions. The team works closely with professionals across the firm including leveraged and acquisition finance, Hi-Yield, tax, funds, employment and insolvency/restructuring. 

Sub-Sahara Africa opportunity

One of the target markets for expansion is sub-Sahara Africa. Their track record spans decades durning which  they have  advised clients on legal matters involving more than 50 African countries. Despite challenges they and their clients  view Africa as an attractive PE and VC destination. 

Their strong and long term relationships with DFIs' provides them with opportunities on a long-term basis with mandate for countercyclical investments which can mitigate risk from short-term and long-term shocks such as Covid.  They see an opportunity for fund managers and other clients to capitalise upon the opportunities DFIs can offer including connecting fund managers and governments to bridge and fill funding and capacity gaps, facilitating due diligence processes and capturing local capital.

Target sectors in the current environment include essential services businesses such as food manufacturers, energy and infrastructure, healthcare and education. Africa Fintech is also noted as a major area for growth. 

The Candidate

Candidates will have top level PE deal experience gained in a recognised firm with deal experience in jurisdictions in sub-Sahara Africa to ideally include Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. You will be at mid-senior associate level possibly counsel and seeking ultimately to progress to partnership. For senior associates you are looking at a tangible two year track. If you are seeking to join a firm that has Africa as a key target market for growth backed up by a credible strategy to achieve its objectives, then this is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a name for yourself as a sub-Sahara Africa PE specialist.