About Ashurst

Ashurst is a leading progressive global law firm with a rich history spanning more than 200 years. We are proud of our history and are future-focused, having expanded into new technologies through our NewLaw division, Ashurst Advance, and our consulting arm. Our in-depth understanding of our clients and commitment to providing excellent standards of service have seen us become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments in all areas of commercial law. To find out more please visit www.ashurst.com.

Team overview

Ashurst' global loans / banking practice is recognised by its clients to be one of the most innovative and solution orientated legal practices in the city today.

As the challenges to our clients have increased over the last few years we have stayed true to our core offering of legal technical excellence wrapped in commercial awareness. This has enabled Ashurst to continue to fulfil the role of being a Trusted Advisor to our clients and strengthened our close relationships.

Job overview

• We are currently looking for a mid to senior-level qualified Banking lawyer with significant experience in leveraged/acquisition finance to join our team in the London office. Ashurst's Banking practice offers specialist advice on:
• buy-outs and other acquisition finance transactions;
• real estate finance;
• infrastructure financings;
• investment fund and warehousing financings;
• restructuring and refinancings;
• asset backed lending;
• strategic and impaired value debt purchases, including loan portfolio sales;
• secured and unsecured lending transactions; and
• treasury products generally.

You can expect to have exposure to a wide range of high quality transactions.

Main tasks and qualities

• You would typically act on all elements of a financing from term sheet stage, through to closing and post-closing. Your specific areas of responsibility will be to draft and negotiate term sheets, intercreditor agreements and facilities agreements, supervising and leading a team of junior lawyers and ensuring a smooth process to transaction close. Ultimately you will progress to running transactions and managing junior associates with limited partner supervision.
• You will be expected to have client relationships and a desire to build on these and develop your own client network with support and guidance from the partners and wider team.
• You would also be expected to manage projects that have been assigned to you, and liaise closely with colleagues, clients, counterparties and other advisers. You would be working as part of a committed and inspired friendly team that enjoys its work and considers itself a leader in its field of practice. All members of the team have frequent client contact.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Drafting of legal documents and agreements;
• Reviewing acquisition and equity documents;
• Contributing to department know-how and developing precedent documents;
• Advising clients;
• Negotiating with counterparts and leading calls; and
• Providing structured supervision and on-the-job training to juniors.
• In addition to strong technical skills, you should be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for business development and strong interpersonal skills as there will be significant client contact, in both the work and business development context.

Essential skills and experience

• Qualified senior-level Banking lawyer with experience from a major law firm
• Strong general banking experience and in particular leveraged acquisition finance
• Experience of drafting, reviewing and negotiating legal documents and agreements in a private practice environment, particularly credit agreements and intercreditor agreements
• An adaptable person who is a fast learner
• A team-player who can work effectively with colleagues at all levels
• Client facing experience and the ability to understand and respond effectively to client needs
• Experience of negotiating with counterparts.
• A commercial approach

Career advancement

An established Associate Career Path Framework is in place clearly defining expectations and outlining opportunities for promotion.

Secondment opportunities

Opportunities often arise for associates to spend time on secondment in house with a key client of the firm. From time to time, secondment opportunities also come up within other Ashurst offices in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

Background checks

In order to comply with regulatory and client requirements, Ashurst will undertake appropriate vetting of staff. When applicants accept a job offer, Ashurst, alongside a specialist provider, will undertake professional verification and background checks. These checks are only undertaken with consent, and in accordance with our legal and regulatory obligations.

* Please note we are not accepting recruitment agency introductions at this time.