WHO WE ARE

Slaughter and May is a leading international law firm, recognised throughout the business community for its exceptional legal service, commercial awareness and commitment to clients. We advise across the spectrum of legal matters including high-profile, ground-breaking and complex transactions, contentious matters and all aspects of risk. We deliver innovative and bespoke solutions to our clients, domestically and internationally, providing clear legal advice that spans the globe whilst tackling the cultural nuances between jurisdictions. Our lawyers understand how to coordinate and manage matters in the jurisdictions most relevant to our clients. 

At Slaughter and May, with over 1,200 partners and staff worldwide, everyone's contribution is valued, and we all enjoy an open, friendly and supportive environment. We have an underlying sense of pride in who we are and what we do, and our inclusive culture gives rise to a unique diversity of thinking, which is critical to our success and helps maintain our position as a true market leader. To support our employees in achieving their professional development objectives, we offer an unrivalled variety of learning and development opportunities to everyone, as well as a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. In light of the continuing coronavirus pandemic, the firm has evolved a new hybrid approach to working, which sees our people working between their respective remote environments and our prestigious headquarters at One Bunhill Row, in the heart of the City of London. 

Would you like to join one of the world’s most prestigious law firms? 

“For any transaction that involves some element of novelty or innovation, Slaughter and May are one of our first ports of call” (Chambers – Band 1) 

We are offering a fantastic opportunity for a professional, technically strong and engaging individual to join us as an Associate, in our London-based Financing group. Slaughter and May’s leading Financing team is well known for market-leading work, often dealing with the most complex and novel matters on the market, with leading and prestigious clients. 

Associate’s joining our financing team can expect to work with partners across specialisms, building strong client relationships as you advise them on a range of interesting matters. 

With our unbeatable culture, our multi-specialist approach, and no billing targets – you won’t have a career quite like this anywhere else. 

ROLE OVERVIEW 

Our Financing practice, which comprises 17 partners and around 65 associates, is split into two groups. As an associate with us you will work with partners in your group, though on many matters will work across both groups, giving you the opportunity to see a wide range of working styles and strategic approaches. 

Both the groups act for a broad range of clients and handle a variety of types of work rather than specialising in one small area. However, each of the two groups have a slightly different client base and focus: one handles most of the Debt Capital Markets, Securitisation, Restructuring and Insolvency and Derivatives work, whilst the other handles most of the Project Finance and Infrastructure, Energy and Natural Resources work, with general Bank Lending and Leveraged Lending work more evenly split between the two. 

The general approach is that the finance partner/s and the associates who act for a given client will handle all of that client’s financing work. This structure leads to more regular client contact and greater involvement in clients’ broader business interests. You will therefore be in a position to build very strong client relationships from a very early stage of your career and to be involved in both the legal and commercial decision-making at some of the largest commercial organisations in the world. 

The matters we work on are generally challenging and sophisticated. We do, however, aim to give associates as much responsibility and client contact as they are ready for. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The key responsibilities of this role are set out below and there may be others which are not listed. 

 Drafting, reviewing and amending the legal and commercial aspects of documentation 

 Advising on the financing elements of a range of corporate and commercial issues 

 Advising on acquisition and leveraged finance, asset finance, project finance and structured finance 

 Advising on debt capital market transactions, corporate recovery and insolvency and securitisations 

 Advising on bank lending of all kinds, including corporate and sovereign 

 Providing efficient professional support for partners 

 Developing professional relationships with clients 

 Supporting the wider team in developing business and raising the profile of the firm 

 Managing/supervising the work of others including trainees. 

CANDIDATE PROFILE 

Candidates for this position must have: 

 Appropriate level of post-qualification experience (we anticipate between 0-4 PQE in a City, major regional or leading international firm) 

 Broad exposure across a range of high value transactions 

 Previous experience of working on similar scale deals and with a significant level of responsibility is essential 

 Ability to draft, advise and negotiate in relation to complex transactions 

 Demonstrable first rate legal/commercial knowledge 

 Strong academic background (the equivalent of high 2.1 degree and AAB at A-level) and a demonstrable high level of intellectual analysis 

 Excellent client relationship skills 

 Excellent efficiency and transaction management skills 

 Ability to develop and work in a fast paced, intellectually challenging environment 

 Resilience under pressure with the ability to manage multiple deadlines 

 Experienced in running negotiations/meetings under minimal supervision 

 High level of professionalism and integrity; displaying the highest standard of professional ethics 

 Experience of working in a diverse team whilst fostering an inclusive team culture.