Dec 25, 2023

Rx Big Law to Private Debt

I'm a 2nd year associate in a magic circle firm based in Paris. I specialize in Restructuring & Insolvency. We advise clients across the capital structure and do a fair bit of financial restructuring deals. I am looking to lateral to a private debt or a special situations role (i.e., a finance role, not a legal one) in a London based fund (I would still be open to switch to the US market). For the sake of completeness, I have no prior business school education. What would be the best course of action? Do you think an MBA would be absolutely necessary? Do you think I can pull it off through networking only? Would the CFA help or would it a waste of time? More generally, do you think my profile would interest some shops?

3 Comments
 

Thank you for your input. Honestly, I am open to both. I had thought that I would still hold value for private debt shops given I know my legal piece, as much as a standard finance lawyer does, given how much the legal docs become scrutinized in the situations we handle. But I totally understand where you’re coming from. This being said, do you think that absolutely need to do an MBA for a distressed shop? Or do you think I can make the switch without it? Thank you so much!

 

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