Associate, Venture & Growth Capital - Elite US Law Firm (1-2 PQE)

Our client, a highly regarded international law firm with a sophisticated corporate practice, is seeking an experienced associate to join its venture and growth capital team in London. This is a rare opportunity to work alongside a market-leading partner who is widely recognised for advising both high-growth companies and prominent investors across the private equity and venture capital spectrum.

The role offers access to cutting-edge work in the technology and fintech sectors, with exposure to headline-making investment rounds and complex cross-border M&A. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-moving, deal-focused environment and have a strong interest in innovative businesses.While the core focus will be on venture and growth capital, the role also offers involvement in broader private equity transactions, M&A, and other complex corporate matters.

Flexible and hybrid working options are available. The firm also supports secondments to clients on an ad-hoc basis, which may be offered as part of your development.

The Role

The successful candidate will advise a varied client base ranging from disruptive tech startups to top-tier private equity houses and global venture capital funds. Key responsibilities include:

• Acting on early-stage and later-round investments, including Series A–G financings
• Advising on company-side capital raises for scaling tech and fintech companies
• Supporting cross-border buyouts, strategic exits, and trade sales
• Leading legal due diligence and preparing core investment documentation

Recent Matters Include:

• Supporting a conversational AI leader in a $30m Series B investment
• Advising scaling companies in UK and Europe across sectors such as payments, digital health, enterprise software, and BaaP platforms
• Assisting growth investors on transactions involving high-profile scaleups and unicorns
• Company-side advisory on significant equity raises for fintech innovators with valuations exceeding $500m
• Handling strategic M&A exits including high-value sales to major listed corporates
• Acting on the restructuring and secondary sale of private equity fund interests

Candidate Requirements

• England & Wales qualified, or another common law jurisdiction
• 1 to 2 years' PQE gained within a leading corporate, private equity, or venture capital team
• Strong track record advising on equity financings, private M&A or tech transactions
• Experience working with fast-growing or founder-led companies is a plus
• Familiarity with cross-border elements and investor-side negotiations advantageous
• Outstanding drafting, commercial acumen, and client-handling skills
• Ability to lead on workstreams with appropriate partner oversight
• Interest in technology, innovation and emerging growth sectors

Team Environment & Growth Trajectory

You will be joining a fast-paced, entrepreneurial team operating at the heart of the growth capital ecosystem. The team regularly acts for some of the most prominent names in private capital and is well integrated across international markets including North America, Europe, and Africa.

The group has been recognised in multiple legal directories and is known for fostering long-term relationships with both companies and institutional investors. For the right candidate, this position offers a strong platform for career development and direct client exposure.

Rutherford is a leading legal recruiter that also works closely with tier one sponsors, buyside firms and investment banks for in-house roles. Please get in contact if you would like to be alerted to the most exciting Counsel opportunities.

To find more of our jobs please visit our website:

Job Reference: NWC8773

Keywords:

venture capital, growth equity, Series A to G, private equity, M&A, capital markets, fundraising, London, fintech, startups, technology transactions, investor-side advisory, NQ to 2PQE, buyouts, exits, private capital, institutional investors, transactional law, emerging companies, tech scaleups, cross-border transactions