Job Description

Job description
We are currently recruiting for a Fund Finance Senior Associate/Counsel (6 PQE+) to join our Debt Finance practice group in London.
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE
A&O Shearman advises on any form of financing that borrowers or lenders choose to undertake, and clients often call on us to advise on the ground-breaking deals and structures which eventually become the market standard.
The main focus of the Fund Finance group is assisting sponsors, borrowers and lenders in financing funds throughout the life cycle of the fund - transactions range from subscription line facilities and NAV facilities to GP support facilities and CV fund financings. We are a well-established practice and offer a breadth of experience on international and cutting-edge market deals. We are ambitious and are passionate about growing our practice over the coming years as the fund finance industry continues to grow. The work is interesting and varied and we are a friendly and collaborative team.
The Fund Finance team sits within the wider Debt Finance group structured around leveraged acquisition finance, particularly large, multi-jurisdictional transactions, and including both public and private bids. A&O Shearman's Debt Finance practice group is widely recognised as one of the market leaders. We are able to offer our clients exceptional market knowledge, built from a broad client base and from regularly working on big-ticket, cross-border deals, gained in times of both boom and bust. Our lawyers have been active in transactions all across Europe and beyond and we work on some of the most cutting-edge and high-profile deals in the market.
Our work includes acting for all of the major international banks and non-bank lenders involved in the fund finance and leveraged space and acting for significant sponsors and borrowers on a multi-jurisdictional basis. The team is in major growth mode with significant firm investment in the fund finance area meaning that it is an exciting time to join the team and be part of continuing to build a market-leading practice.
ROLE & RESPONSBILITIES

• Drafting and reviewing and main deal documentation such as facility agreements and intercreditor agreements for borrowers and lenders on a wide range of fund finance transactions
• Project management of the overall smooth running of a deal including competently leading a transaction and supervising junior lawyers
• Managing and co-ordinating large, multi-jurisdictional transactions involving overseas counsel both internally and externally
• Liaising with colleagues throughout the A&O Shearman network (particularly in Europe, Asia and the US)
• Strategically advising clients in meetings, on the phone and by email
• Managing client expectations and project delivery appropriately
• Building relationships with clients (both on and off deal) and assisting with and implementing business development initiatives - including a strong enthusiasm for growing the practice through networking
• Training and developing junior members of the team and contributing to the know-how of the practice

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Qualified lawyer - ideally 6 PQE+ or above for Senior Associate or Counsel candidates
• Strong technical knowledge of the legal framework surrounding general financing transactions and fund finance
• Familiarity with the main documents (e.g. facility agreements, security documents and intercreditor agreements) used in financing transactions with the ability to comfortably negotiate these
• Experience of working on fund finance transactions is preferred but not essential - leverage experience, project finance, real estate finance and other types of finance would be welcomed
• An ability to work on both sponsor and lender transactions with an understanding of how to negotiate both types of transactions
• Keen interest in AI and technology and passionate about using the firm's extensive capabilities in this area to help drive initiatives within the fund finance team
• Intellectual curiosity and versatility
• Self-starter with the desire and ability to continuously acquire, build upon and share knowledge internally in the team
• 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 senior associate or counsel 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 judgement, 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.
Our approach to hybrid working seeks to combine and maximise the benefits of effective remote working with the benefits of being in the office. Our current hybrid working arrangements require office based working for a minimum of 60% of your time (i.e. three days per week for a full time role) in accordance with our hybrid working policy.
Area of expertise
Debt Finance
Office
London - Bishops Square
Additional information - External
A&O Shearman is a global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 28 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 an inclusive environment, 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.
Working arrangement
Hybrid (combination of office & remote working)

Skills Required