We are currently recruiting for an Associate (2-5 PQE) to join our Restructuring Practice Group in London on a permanent basis.

Department purpose

Our unrivalled restructuring and insolvency team, with more than 200 lawyers specialising in restructuring across 33 offices globally, is truly world class. With such an extensive and dedicated team, we advise on the largest and most complex restructurings, and pride ourselves on providing pioneering solutions as well as delivering real commercial results. We specialise in cross-border restructurings and insolvencies and special situation, utilising the full range of international options including U.S. Chapter 11 reorganisations, UK schemes of arrangement, pre-packaged sales and debt for equity swaps.

Our expertise covers advice on contingency planning, debt restructuring, special situation credit solutions (including drop down financing transactions), reschedulings, distressed acquisitions/sales, credit bidding, formal insolvency proceedings, out-of-court refinancings, liability management exercises and distressed debt trading. We advise creditors and investors at all levels of the capital structure as well as corporates/directors, central banks, insolvency officeholders/trustees and government institutions.

We work closely with specialists in related practice areas including finance, corporate, real estate, employment, pensions, tax, environment, regulatory, capital markets and litigation to provide our clients with a seamless and integrated service.

Role and responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing and amending documentation
• Strategically advising clients in meetings, on the phone and in writing
• Managing client expectations and project delivery appropriately
• Business development – development of personal plan, assistance with and implementation of business development campaign
• Legal research
• Supervision of junior team members

Key requirements

• Qualified lawyer
• Strong technical knowledge of the legal framework surrounding restructuring transactions.
•  Intellectual curiosity and versatility
• Self-starter with the desire and ability to continuously acquire, build upon and share knowledge
• Detail-focused and self-motivated approach
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Excellent client relationship skills
• Sound experience of operating at associate level within a complex international organisation
• Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to deliver creative and pragmatic solutions and advice
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win the respect of the partner and fee-earner community, building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborative team player with the ability to develop and work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment
• A person of sound judgment, able to establish a high level of credibility

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embraces hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Additional information - External

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.