Financial Services Partner

About the Role

A prominent Irish full-service law firm is inviting applications for a Partner to join their Investment Funds & Financial Services Regulatory team amid a phase of notable growth. This role offers more than a typical partner position — it provides an exceptional platform, resources, and independence to develop and lead significant practice areas within Ireland’s financial services legal market, including the opportunity to pioneer an Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee one or more business units within the comprehensive Investment Funds & Financial Services division, shaping strategy and driving commercial expansion.
• Lead complex fund structuring engagements involving private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, and real estate sectors.
• Manage strategic client relationships with institutional and entrepreneurial investment managers.
• Advise on innovative fund structures, including ESG-focused and fintech vehicles, while cultivating knowledge in emerging areas such as digital asset funds and ETFs, with potential to establish and lead an ETF practice.
• Structure and negotiate advanced debt issuance programs; counsel Irish and international issuers, originators, and lead managers on intricate transactions.
• Lead multi-series secured notes initiatives and green bond schemes, developing innovative debt structures for alternative investment vehicles.
• Deliver strategic regulatory advice to investment management firms and financial services companies.
• Coordinate regulatory authorization filings with the Central Bank of Ireland for AIFMs, fund administrators, and MiFID firms.
• Ensure compliance with frameworks such as AIFMD, UCITS, SFDR, and manage regulatory due diligence concerning acquisitions and control changes.

Candidate Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor possessing 8 to 10+ years post-qualification experience specializing in investment funds, financial services regulation, or debt capital markets.
• Proven expertise in handling complex, high-value transactions alongside regulatory mandates.
• Established record of business development success and client relationship management.
• Leadership experience coupled with strong ambition to build and lead practice areas independently.
• In-depth technical knowledge of financial services regulations, including MiFID II, AIFMD, UCITS, and SFDR.
• Active participation in client presentations, thought leadership initiatives, and business growth strategies.