Associate

DLA Piper's Investment Management and Funds practice advises fund sponsors, asset managers and institutional investors across the full investment fund lifecycle, from strategic planning, structuring and launch through investment, operation, secondary transactions and liquidity solutions. The practice combines global funds capability with regulatory, tax and transactional expertise across key jurisdictions, enabling the team to support complex domestic and cross-border mandates.

In Asia, the team works with international financial institutions, established and emerging fund managers and private capital sponsors, drawing on an integrated global network of funds lawyers across more than 40 countries. Based in Hong Kong, the team focuses on private fund formation, co-investment arrangements, separate accounts, institutional investor mandates, secondaries and GP-led continuation transactions. The team is now expanding its Hong Kong bench to support growing regional demand and strengthen its ability to deliver sophisticated, commercially focused advice across Asia and globally.

This role offers an exciting opportunity for a 2 to 6 PQE Associate to join DLA Piper's Investment Management and Funds practice and contribute to the continued development of its Greater China and regional Funds offering. The Associate will work across a broad range of sophisticated funds matters, including fund formation, investor-side mandates, co-investments, separate accounts, secondaries and regulatory matters, with meaningful responsibility and exposure to domestic and cross-border clients. The successful candidate will contribute to strengthening the team's capabilities, supporting client relationships and capturing opportunities across the region. The role combines strong technical development with increasing ownership, client exposure and the platform of a leading global funds practice.

Main duties and responsibilities

As part of DLA Piper's Investment Management and Funds practice, the Associate will work across a broad range of sophisticated funds matters for sponsors, managers and institutional investors, collaborating with colleagues across Greater China, Asia and the firm's international network. The role will offer increasing responsibility for matters and client relationships as the Associate's experience develops.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Advising on the structuring, establishment and operation of private investment funds, including open-ended and closed-ended fund structures, co-investment arrangements and separate accounts.
• Acting for fund sponsors and institutional investors across the investment lifecycle, including investments in private funds, managed accounts and co-investment opportunities.
• Supporting secondary and liquidity transactions, including LP-led portfolio transactions, GP-led recapitalisations and continuation fund transactions.
• Advising clients on relevant fund regulatory matters, including Hong Kong and US securities and regulatory considerations.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating fund documentation and coordinating with clients, counterparties, counsel and other advisers across multiple jurisdictions.
• Taking increasing ownership of workstreams and supporting the effective management and delivery of transactions, appropriate to experience level.
• Collaborating with lawyers across DLA Piper's international network to deliver integrated advice on complex cross-border mandates.
• Contributing to the continued development of the Greater China and regional Funds practice, including client relationships, knowledge development and practice-building initiatives.

About you

We are looking for an Associate with strong technical foundations in investment funds who is commercially minded, proactive and keen to take greater ownership as their career develops.

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Approximately 2 to 6 years' post-qualification experience, with relevant experience in investment funds, private funds or closely related investment management work.
• A strong understanding of fund structures, documentation and mechanics, ideally with exposure to fund formation, investor representation, co-investments, separate accounts and/or secondary transactions.
• Strong drafting, analytical and transaction management skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to take ownership of matters and workstreams, exercise sound judgement and approach legal and commercial issues thoughtfully and proactively.
• Strong organisational and project management capabilities, including the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple matters.
• A collaborative approach and the confidence to work effectively with clients and colleagues across different offices and jurisdictions.
• An interest in contributing to a growing regional practice, including developing client relationships and broader practice capability.
• Experience gained in a US-centric funds practice or international law firm would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Mandarin language capability would be advantageous, given the Greater China and regional nature of the practice.

About us

We're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.

At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.