Associate

The departmentSkadden advises financial sponsors and their portfolio companies at all stages of the downstream investment cycle, covering everything from buyouts, JVs, consortia investments as well as management incentive plans, financings and refinancings, bolt-on investments, management change, recaps, corporate restructurings and exits. Skadden also supports portfolio companies on legal issues that typically arise under financial sponsor ownership and leveraged structures, with particular expertise in designing, managing, and restructuring executive incentive schemes, capital allocations and equity issuance for incoming leadership. Skadden’s global Financial Sponsor practice forms an integral part of Skadden’s ongoing M&A success and is one of the most dynamic Financial Sponsor practices in Europe. While the team handles a broad range of private equity transactions across the market, the firm is most often sought out for its expertise in complex, high-end mandates, as reflected in Skadden’s position among the top 3 law firms for global PE-related deals by average value over the last decade (Mergermarket, 2016–2026). The group’s recognition by Law360 as a “Private Equity Group of the Year” further speaks to its contribution to Skadden’s #1 ranking for completed M&A (Mergermarket, FY 2025), our #2 ranking for completed global M&A in 2026 (LSEG), and our position as the only US law firm to ever top the UK M&A tables (Bloomberg, 2021 and again in 2023). The practice and its individual attorneys are consistently recognized as market-leading across all major legal directories.

Skadden advises financial sponsors and their portfolio companies at all stages of the downstream investment cycle, covering everything from buyouts, JVs, consortia investments as well as management incentive plans, financings and refinancings, bolt-on investments, management change, recaps, corporate restructurings and exits. Skadden also supports portfolio companies on legal issues that typically arise under financial sponsor ownership and leveraged structures, with particular expertise in designing, managing, and restructuring executive incentive schemes, capital allocations and equity issuance for incoming leadership.

Skadden’s global Financial Sponsor practice forms an integral part of Skadden’s ongoing M&A success and is one of the most dynamic Financial Sponsor practices in Europe. While the team handles a broad range of private equity transactions across the market, the firm is most often sought out for its expertise in complex, high-end mandates, as reflected in Skadden’s position among the top 3 law firms for global PE-related deals by average value over the last decade (Mergermarket, 2016–2026). The group’s recognition by Law360 as a “Private Equity Group of the Year” further speaks to its contribution to Skadden’s #1 ranking for completed M&A (Mergermarket, FY 2025), our #2 ranking for completed global M&A in 2026 (LSEG), and our position as the only US law firm to ever top the UK M&A tables (Bloomberg, 2021 and again in 2023). The practice and its individual attorneys are consistently recognized as market-leading across all major legal directories.

Person SpecificationThe new hire will join the Corporate group, focusing their time on financial sponsor transactions. We are looking for an individual with 1-2 years’ post-qualification experience, preferably in the London market or with experience in a similar common law jurisdiction, although those with less or more relevant experience will be considered on their merits. The successful candidate will have qualified at the firm at which they trained. Key Requirements: Financial sponsor or broader corporate transactional experience, ideally with exposure to private equity Ability to support sponsor-led matters across due diligence, drafting, signing, closing and general corporate workstreams Experience assisting with the drafting and negotiation of SPAs, including locked box and completion accounts structures Familiarity with management incentive arrangements, including leaver terms and related shareholders’ agreements Experience working on NDAs, engagement letters, disclosure letters, diligence reports and ancillary transaction documents Interest in building and deepening experience in financial sponsor transactions Ability to work closely with partners, counsel and senior associates in a fast-paced, high-performing environment Excellent written communication, technical drafting and analytical skills Proactive and able to demonstrate initiative Able to take on responsibility appropriate to level and manage a challenging workload Collaborative and comfortable working in a fast-paced and friendly environment Interest in contributing to marketing, knowhow and pro bono initiatives Excellent academic credentials and a commitment to delivering high-quality work We are looking for a candidate who is proactive, collaborative, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, high-performing environment.

The new hire will join the Corporate group, focusing their time on financial sponsor transactions. We are looking for an individual with 1-2 years’ post-qualification experience, preferably in the London market or with experience in a similar common law jurisdiction, although those with less or more relevant experience will be considered on their merits. The successful candidate will have qualified at the firm at which they trained.

Key Requirements:

Key Requirements:

• Financial sponsor or broader corporate transactional experience, ideally with exposure to private equity
• Ability to support sponsor-led matters across due diligence, drafting, signing, closing and general corporate workstreams
• Experience assisting with the drafting and negotiation of SPAs, including locked box and completion accounts structures
• Familiarity with management incentive arrangements, including leaver terms and related shareholders’ agreements
• Experience working on NDAs, engagement letters, disclosure letters, diligence reports and ancillary transaction documents
• Interest in building and deepening experience in financial sponsor transactions
• Ability to work closely with partners, counsel and senior associates in a fast-paced, high-performing environment
• Excellent written communication, technical drafting and analytical skills
• Proactive and able to demonstrate initiative
• Able to take on responsibility appropriate to level and manage a challenging workload
• Collaborative and comfortable working in a fast-paced and friendly environment
• Interest in contributing to marketing, knowhow and pro bono initiatives
• Excellent academic credentials and a commitment to delivering high-quality work

We are looking for a candidate who is proactive, collaborative, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, high-performing environment.

RemunerationWe pay generous rates and provide our lawyers with a highly competitive benefits package. The package includes: Discretionary year-end bonus Technology allowance 22 days holiday and 3 personal days Enhanced family leave Private medical insurance Permanent health insurance Life insurance Interest-free season ticket loan Gym allowance Travel insurance Mentoring and Hybrid Working Associates who join Skadden laterally participate in our mentor program, Skadden Integration+, which specifically focuses on the unique needs experienced attorneys face during professional transitions. The program, along with our professional development and other Skadden benefits and hybrid work model – consisting of working Monday through Thursday in the office (for full-time attorneys) – underscores Skadden's long-standing commitment to investing in its people and culture.

We pay generous rates and provide our lawyers with a highly competitive benefits package. The package includes:

• Discretionary year-end bonus
• Technology allowance
• 22 days holiday and 3 personal days
• Enhanced family leave
• Private medical insurance
• Permanent health insurance
• Life insurance
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Gym allowance
• Travel insurance

Mentoring and Hybrid Working

Mentoring and Hybrid Working

Associates who join Skadden laterally participate in our mentor program, Skadden Integration+, which specifically focuses on the unique needs experienced attorneys face during professional transitions.

The program, along with our professional development and other Skadden benefits and hybrid work model – consisting of working Monday through Thursday in the office (for full-time attorneys) – underscores Skadden's long-standing commitment to investing in its people and culture.

professional development and other Skadden benefitsTraining and DevelopmentSkadden has a sophisticated training program that includes both in-house and external seminars and training sessions. We also pride ourselves on providing our lawyers with "on-the-job" training and constructive "real-time" partner feedback. The formal training program includes: Regular team meetings. Regular know-how meetings and specific high yield know-how and training program. Weekly and monthly training seminars and workshops for all levels covering legal topics relevant to the firm’s practice areas and skills. These are presented by partners and associates and external specialists, KCs and other professionals. Live video-links to seminars presented across Skadden’s network of offices. Pro bono Pro bono is a core aspect of Skadden culture, and the firm dedicates approximately 3-5% of its total billable hours to pro bono matters. Our lawyers have an opportunity to get involved in a range of pro bono matters under the supervision of charities, on topics including family, welfare benefits, housing, and immigration, as well as corporate pro bono opportunities. EEO Statement Skadden is an Equal Opportunities Employer. It does not discriminate against applicants or employees in relation to any protected characteristic including, but not limited to, race, color, religion or belief, nationality, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, pregnancy, childbirth, adoption or disability. Ahead of making your application, if you have any adjustments which you would like to make us aware of, please contact Daisy.Adams@skadden.com directly.

Skadden has a sophisticated training program that includes both in-house and external seminars and training sessions. We also pride ourselves on providing our lawyers with "on-the-job" training and constructive "real-time" partner feedback. The formal training program includes:

• Regular team meetings.
• Regular know-how meetings and specific high yield know-how and training program.
• Weekly and monthly training seminars and workshops for all levels covering legal topics relevant to the firm’s practice areas and skills. These are presented by partners and associates and external specialists, KCs and other professionals.
• Live video-links to seminars presented across Skadden’s network of offices.

Pro bono

Pro bono

Pro bono is a core aspect of Skadden culture, and the firm dedicates approximately 3-5% of its total billable hours to pro bono matters. Our lawyers have an opportunity to get involved in a range of pro bono matters under the supervision of charities, on topics including family, welfare benefits, housing, and immigration, as well as corporate pro bono opportunities.

EEO Statement

EEO Statement

Skadden is an Equal Opportunities Employer. It does not discriminate against applicants or employees in relation to any protected characteristic including, but not limited to, race, color, religion or belief, nationality, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, pregnancy, childbirth, adoption or disability.

Ahead of making your application, if you have any adjustments which you would like to make us aware of, please contact Daisy.Adams@skadden.com directly.

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