Legal Counsel - Private Debt at StepStone Group in New York, NY

Job description

We are global private markets specialists delivering tailored investment solutions, advisory services, and impactful, data driven insights to the world’s investors. Leveraging the power of our platform and our peerless intelligence across sectors, strategies, and geographies, we help identify the advantages and the answers our clients need to succeed. The position will support StepStone's Private Debt business in the United States, working closely with US, European and Asian counterparties and counsel on a regular basis. You will report directly into the Associate General Counsel, Private Debt in the New York office and be an integral member of the Private Debt legal team and the wider StepStone Legal & Compliance team. The role is primarily transactional, covering credit agreements, fund finance, sourcing agreements, structured products, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and special purpose vehicle (SPV) and bankruptcy-remote structures, together with support on client mandates and fund formation as required. This is a hands-on role offering meaningful exposure to sophisticated transactions at the intersection of private credit, structured products and fund finance, across the full transaction lifecycle from structuring and negotiation through to closing and post-closing matters. Essential Job Functions Review, draft and negotiate documentation for the full range of Private Debt transactions, including credit agreements and credit facilities; fund finance documentation, including subscription, NAV and other fund-level facilities; sourcing agreements; structured product and CLO documentation; intercreditor, security and collateral documentation; and participation, assignment and other loan purchase and transfer documentation Prepare first mark-ups and issues lists, working through the mechanics of each document and raising points requiring attention at an early stage Assist with the formation, structuring, governance and ongoing maintenance of SPVs, including bankruptcy-remote structures used in structured finance and CLO transactions Assist with ISDA and hedging documentation connected to financings Support post-closing portfolio matters, including restructurings and workouts and, from time to time, amendments and consents Coordinate parallel legal, tax and operations workstreams, maintaining a clear record of agreed points, open items and next steps Identify regulatory and tax issues as they arise, including Investment Advisers Act, ERISA and, where relevant, Investment Company Act considerations, as well as rated note and risk retention points in CLO and securitization transactions, and escalate them to the appropriate internal stakeholders Work with Compliance on material non-public information (MNPI), information barrier and restricted list matters arising from investment activity Coordinate with and manage outside counsel and other service providers, including on non-US structures and cross-border matters Support senior attorneys on client mandates, including separately managed accounts, funds-of-one, co-investment vehicles and related investment advisory agreements, and on fund formation matters, including evergreen and semi-liquid vehicles, as required Contribute to special projects as required, such as process improvement, knowledge management, template development and legal technology implementation Education and/or Work Experience Requirements Juris Doctor (JD) and admission to, and good standing with, the New York State Bar Approximately 3-5 years of experience at a reputable law firm Transactional experience with credit agreements, fund finance, structured products, CLOs or securitizations, including preparing first mark-ups or issues lists A grounding in finance, general corporate or transactional practice; experience across several practice areas is viewed positively Familiarity with fund or vehicle documents, including limited partnership agreements, subscription documents and side letters, is an asset Exp