Overview
Morningstar DBRS’ European Structured Finance team is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented lawyer to join as an Assistant Vice President in London. The successful candidate will focus on legal analysis, collaborating closely with rating analysts to assign ratings to European structured credit transactions and fund finance transactions, including SME CLOs, Private Credit CLOs, Credit Fund ABL loans, Feeder Fund debt, and Subscription Loans. The ideal candidate will hold a law degree and have experience with structured finance and/or fund finance transactions across multiple European jurisdictions (including the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France), gained either at a law firm or as in-house counsel. They will combine strong legal and reputational risk awareness with financial literacy and commercial acumen, and be able to communicate complex legal and rating criteria clearly to both internal and external stakeholders.
Candidates should thrive in a collaborative, team-focused environment, demonstrating a strong work ethic, analytical mindset, and attention to detail. The successful candidate will also possess excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, enabling effective engagement with colleagues at all professional levels as well as external contacts, including external counsel.
Job Responsibilities
- Reviewing the loan/transaction documents to be executed in the context of structured finance and fund finance debt issuances rated by DBRS for consistency with DBRS’s methodologies
- Support and advise analysts and rating committee with regards to legal aspects of the structured finance and fund finance transaction that may affect credit ratings
- Communicate DBRS’s position on legal matters to issuers and relevant third parties
- Engage and manage the document review process of external counsel, if appointed
- Provide day-to-day legal analysis support and assistance to rating analysts and other members of the structured finance legal team by interpreting and analysing documentation
- Summarise legal terms of complex structured finance and fund finance documentation (including term-sheets, prospectuses, and cash management agreements) for further consideration and analysis by rating analysts and other members of the structured finance legal team; compile, organise and present summarised legal terms in a well written and concise fashion in rating committees
- Provide support to analysts and other members of the structured finance legal team in the preparation and review of rating reports and other related documentation
- Perform research and analysis on various legal issues (including issues dealt with by newly enacted legislation) in connection with the structured finance and fund finance debt issuances rated by DBRS
- Monitor legislative and case law developments and advise on changes as appropriate
- Support drafting legal criteria and commentaries, contribute to the development of rating methodologies from time-to-time, as required
- Represent DBRS in meetings with market participants and at industry events
Qualifications
- University degree in law with strong academic credentials
- 5+ years of experience in European structured finance and/or fund finance, at a recognised law firm or in-house
- Fluency in English with excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proactive, adaptable, and effective both independently and in collaboration with others
- Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks, balancing long-term projects and urgent daily work with careful attention to detail and effective time management
- Permission to live and work in the United Kingdom; this position may require occasional European travel
Nice to have
- Knowledge of rating agency methodologies
- Experience and understanding of multiple jurisdictions’ legal frameworks
- Fluency in another European language/s
- Knowledge of analytical programming languages (VBA, Python, etc.)
Base Salary Compensation
GBP 67,500.00-98,500.00
Bonus Target: 20% Annual
We expect the compensation and target bonus for this role to fall within the stated range. The specific compensation offered will depend on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and other job-related factors.
Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we’ve found that we’re at our best when we’re purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you’ll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.
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