Lateral Partner, Investment Funds (Corporate / Private Capital)

An appointment at partner level on this brief turns on what actually moves with you, far more than on any headline figure.

We are partnering with a Magic Circle / Tier 1 international law firm on a partner-level lateral search in its Investment Funds practice, focused on the Americas (all US states plus DC). This is part of a broader private capital buildout encompassing Funds, Private Equity, Debt Finance, and Private Credit, and the firm is open to opportunistic hires across these areas—the goal is to attract established teams and laterals rather than fill a single named seat.

Why now: the firm is in a declared US growth phase, building out areas it considers strategically important for the future. Approximately one-third of its US partners are already laterals, and the firm reports strong recent momentum in US M&A and private equity (top 10 in Bloomberg law league tables for overall deal value this year).

Culture & platform: the firm is a single, fully integrated global partnership, committed to US growth. It is highly collaborative—laterals are expected to 'hunt in packs'—and growth comes from cross-selling across product groups (M&A, digital assets, and others) and sector horizontals (health, life sciences, tech, financial services). Every lateral partner is assigned a dedicated US partner integration manager for the first 12 months, supporting internal networking, client-synergy mapping, and joint client coverage.

Ideal candidate: an established investment funds partner on the corporate side of the private capital platform, preferably able to move with associates and/or counsel (a team helps with integration and enables a faster start). The firm seeks someone who wants to develop and deepen client relationships, build a legacy, and leverage global reach. This is not the right place for a solo rainmaker who wants to be left alone to run a standalone book.

• No specific sub-strategy, fund type, or client list was specified.
• Candidates based in New York, DC, or Houston are preferred, though the firm is flexible for exceptional laterals elsewhere (no Philadelphia office).
• Sourcing tiers include Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 firms plus AmLaw 100.
• Compensation details and origination credit rules are not specified; alignment on clients, billings, and expectations is required before any candidate is put forward.

• US-qualified lawyer admitted to practice (all US states considered)
• Partner-level experience in investment funds, on the corporate side of private capital
• Proven track record in fund formation and investment management
• Established client relationships and a portable book of business
• Experience working collaboratively across product groups and sectors
• Prior exposure to M&A, digital assets, or related corporate work is a plus
• Ability to contribute to the firm's private capital buildout and to help grow the platform
• Portable book of business of $2M+ (USD)

Discussions are held in confidence and nothing is shared with the firm without your explicit approval.