Legal Counsel

Provide legal support across private debt investments, transaction structuring, documentation, restructuring, and enforcement activities.

The opportunity

Our client is an investment firm focused on private debt across African markets, seeking an in-house Legal Counsel to support its investment team on transaction execution, legal documentation, due diligence, and ongoing portfolio monitoring. The role will be based in London.

Responsibilities

• Work with investment teams to define legal requirements and scopes for new private debt investments.
• Coordinate with external counsel and support the drafting and negotiation of loan and security agreements.
• Lead the drafting of documentation for loan restructurings, amendments, and enforcement proceedings.
• Monitor legal covenants, lender rights, and security arrangements across existing loans.
• Review loan and security documentation to identify collateralisation, security overlap, and cross-default risks.
• Support limited partner documentation, reporting, and monitoring requirements.

Requirements

• Qualified solicitor under English law.
• 3+ years of relevant legal experience, primarily in private debt investment execution.
• Experience working in African markets or strong personal ties to Africa.
• Experience drafting and negotiating loan and security agreements.
• Exposure to arbitration, restructuring, or enforcement proceedings is advantageous.
• Qualification to practise in an African jurisdiction is a plus.
• Strong ownership of transaction documentation and closing conditions precedent and subsequent.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to work independently.