Private Equity Associate Move to US Firm in London for Better Access to Work

Candidate: Private Equity Associate
Level: 3-PQE
Move: International Firm to AmLaw 30 Firm
Location: London

‍

Background:

Our London-based legal recruiter, Andrew François, first connected with this associate towards the end of 2024. At the time, the associate expressed concerns about the decline in work at his current firm over the past two years. Despite being at a reputable firm, the lack of exposure to and consistency in deal work at his level had prompted him to explore new opportunities. However, after weighing his options, he decided to hold off on his job search until the new year.

‍

The Journey:

At the start of 2025, Andrew reached out to the candidate to revisit his interest in exploring the market. This time, the candidate was eager to begin the process.

To set expectations and provide clarity, Andrew shared a detailed overview of recent associate moves from the candidate's current firm over the past three years. Together, they created a tailored list of target firms.

Soon after, a prominent US firm in London expressed interest in the candidate and invited him for an interview. During the process, the candidate found that he really connected with the firm, and even knew one of the partners, who ultimately advocated for him during the recruitment process.

At the offer stage, the firm presented its offer, and while salary wasn’t the candidate’s primary motivation for moving, Andrew was committed to securing the best possible package. He successfully negotiated a higher salary, which the candidate was delighted with.

The firm offered exactly what he was looking for, and salary was no longer a key factor.

The candidate was thrilled to accept the offer and is now preparing to start his new role at this prestigious US firm.

‍

Recruiter Insights:

2025 opened into a somewhat busy deal market, with M&A and PE needs across the city prominent across the board. This was an excellent time to be in process, and because myself and the candidate had an understanding of the motivations, we were unanimous in our view of what an ideal and realistic opportunity would look like.

Ultimately, it was about leveraging our firm connections with the caliber of candidate, and we were able to get a favourable outcome to both!

‍

Looking for your next big move?  

If you're considering new opportunities, let us help you take the next step. Reach out for a confidential discussion today.