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# Chief Legal Officer with a Private Equity Firm – New York, NY


Role Overview for Chief Legal Officer with a Private Equity Firm – New York, NY
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, growth-oriented private equity firm based in the heart of New York, NY. Our client, a dynamic and respected leader in middle-market investments, is seeking to appoint a strategic, business-minded Chief Legal Officer (CLO). This is a cornerstone executive leadership role, reporting directly to the Managing Partners and serving as a key member of the firm’s executive committee. The CLO will be the principal legal advisor to the firm, responsible for overseeing all legal, regulatory, and compliance matters globally.
This individual will play a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s strategic direction, safeguarding its interests, and facilitating its continued growth and success. The ideal candidate is a seasoned legal professional with extensive experience in private equity transactions, fund formation, and regulatory compliance, capable of providing pragmatic, commercially-focused legal advice in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
You will be instrumental in navigating complex legal landscapes, managing risk, and upholding the highest standards of corporate governance.This position offers a unique opportunity to have a significant impact on the firm’s investment activities, operational integrity, and long-term value creation. You will lead a small but highly effective legal team, manage relationships with elite outside counsel, and serve as a trusted advisor across all business functions, from deal origination and execution to portfolio company management and fund administration.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Legal Officer with a Private Equity Firm – New York, NY
The Chief Legal Officer will have a broad and challenging mandate, encompassing the full spectrum of legal activities within a sophisticated private equity firm. Your responsibilities will be diverse and critical to the firm’s operations:
Transactional and M&A Leadership:

Lead and manage all legal aspects of the firm’s investment activities, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions from inception to post-closing integration.
Direct and oversee comprehensive legal due diligence processes, identifying and mitigating potential risks associated with target investments.
Structure, draft, and negotiate a wide array of complex legal documents, such as letters of intent (LOIs), stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, merger agreements, and shareholder agreements.
Provide strategic legal counsel to the deal teams throughout the transaction lifecycle, ensuring alignment with the firm’s investment thesis and risk appetite.
Manage and optimize the performance of external legal counsel on all transactional matters, ensuring high-quality work product, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Advise on financing arrangements for transactions, including senior and subordinated debt facilities and related credit agreements.

Fund Formation and Investor Relations:

Spearhead the legal structuring, formation, and closing of new private equity funds, co-investment vehicles, and other investment products.
Draft and negotiate key fund documents, including private placement memorandums (PPMs), limited partnership agreements (LPAs), and subscription agreements.
Advise on marketing and fundraising activities to ensure compliance with applicable securities laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions.
Act as the primary legal point of contact for negotiations with sophisticated institutional investors and their counsel regarding fund terms and side letter agreements.
Oversee the legal aspects of ongoing fund administration, including capital calls, distributions, and investor communications.

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management:

Develop, implement, and maintain a robust, best-in-class global compliance program, ensuring the firm’s adherence to all applicable laws and regulations.
Serve as the firm’s chief compliance officer, overseeing all filings and interactions with regulatory bodies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Provide expert guidance on the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and other relevant securities laws.
Manage and monitor for compliance with anti-money laundering (AML), know-your-customer (KYC), anti-bribery (FCPA), and economic sanctions (OFAC) regulations.
Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate legal, regulatory, and reputational risks across the firm and its portfolio companies.
Develop and conduct regular compliance training for all employees.

Corporate Governance and General Counsel Functions:

Advise the firm’s leadership and governing bodies on all corporate governance matters.
Oversee the legal management of the firm’s internal corporate structure, including its management company and general partner entities.
Manage and advise on litigation, regulatory inquiries, and other disputes, effectively directing outside counsel as needed.
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of commercial contracts, including vendor agreements, service agreements, employment agreements, and non-disclosure agreements.
Provide legal counsel on employment law, intellectual property, data privacy, and other day-to-day operational legal issues.

Requirements for the Chief Legal Officer with a Private Equity Firm – New York, NY
We are seeking a distinguished legal professional with a proven track record of success in demanding, high-growth environments. The qualifications for this role are stringent and reflect its seniority and importance.
Education
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a top-tier, ABA-accredited law school with an excellent academic record.
Bar Admission
Must be an active member in good standing of the New York State Bar, or eligible for admission as in-house counsel.
Experience
A minimum of 15-20 years of relevant legal experience. The ideal background includes a combination of:

Several years of training at a nationally recognized law firm with a top-tier private equity, M&A, or corporate practice.
Significant in-house experience, preferably in a senior legal role (e.g., General Counsel, Deputy GC, senior counsel) at a private equity firm, alternative asset manager, or sophisticated investment firm.

Technical Expertise
Deep, demonstrable expertise in the following areas is required:

Private equity M&A transactions and deal structuring.
Private fund formation, structuring, and capital raising.
The Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and related SEC regulations.
Complex contract negotiation and drafting.

Leadership & Management Skills
Proven ability to lead and develop a legal function. Experience managing, mentoring, and inspiring legal professionals is essential. A track record of successfully managing external counsel relationships and legal budgets.
Business Acumen
A strong commercial and strategic mindset. The ability to understand the business objectives of the firm and provide pragmatic, solution-oriented legal advice that balances risk and opportunity. Must be comfortable and credible interacting with senior investment professionals and executives.
Communication Skills
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. The ability to articulate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely to non-lawyers and to advocate effectively on behalf of the firm.
Personal Attributes
Unquestionable integrity, ethics, and judgment. A high level of executive presence, intellectual curiosity, and a proactive, hands-on work ethic. The ability to thrive under pressure and manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier talent and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with the seniority of this executive role. This includes:
Highly Competitive Base Salary
A base salary that reflects the candidate’s experience and the market for executive legal talent in New York private equity.
Substantial Annual Bonus
A significant performance-based annual bonus tied to individual and firm success.
Carried Interest
The opportunity for meaningful participation in the firm’s carried interest plan, providing long-term wealth creation potential.
Comprehensive Health and Wellness
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents.
Retirement Savings
A generous 401(k) plan with a significant employer match.
Paid Time Off
A generous vacation, holiday, and personal day policy.
Professional Development
A budget for continuing legal education (CLE), professional memberships, and industry conferences.
Work-Life Integration
A professional and respectful work environment that values the contributions of its team members.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is exclusively managing the search for this Chief Legal Officer position. We are committed to a confidential and thorough recruitment process. If you are a qualified and interested candidate who meets the above criteria, we encourage you to apply.
To express your interest, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. For more information about our expertise in this area, please visit our Legal and Compliance practice area page. We look forward to reviewing your application and discussing this exceptional opportunity with you.