Leveraged Finance Associate

Acquisition Finance Associate US Firm and Platform - London

An elite US law firm is continuing the strategic growth of its London Debt Finance practice and is keen to speak with outstanding associates in the 2–5 PQE range.

This is a rare opportunity to join a lean, high-performing and fast-growing finance team advising on sophisticated sponsor-backed leveraged finance, private credit, direct lending and cross-border acquisition finance transactions for many of the world’s leading private equity sponsors, infrastructure funds, credit platforms and multinational corporates.

The practice is recognised for its ability to handle complex, high-value and often multi-jurisdictional financings, working closely with market-leading private equity and M&A teams across Europe and the US on premium transactional mandates. Associates are given significant responsibility from an early stage and benefit from genuine exposure to headline deals, major clients and senior decision-makers.

Over recent years, the London office has made substantial investment into both its finance and broader private capital offering, with a number of high-profile strategic partner hires helping to build considerable momentum across the platform. The team continues to see strong deal flow and increasing market share, making this an especially exciting time to join.

The culture is frequently described as collaborative, entrepreneurial and notably less siloed than many comparable US firms, with a real emphasis on quality over hierarchy and meaningful associate involvement across transactions.

Highlights of the opportunity include:

• Exposure to complex cross-border leveraged finance, private credit and acquisition finance matters

• The opportunity to work closely with top-tier private equity sponsors, infrastructure investors and direct lenders

• Direct access to senior lawyers and key clients from day one

• A lean team structure offering excellent visibility, responsibility and progression potential

• Strong collaboration across London, US and European offices on international transactions

• High-quality deal flow with a genuinely premium client base

• Collegiate and ambitious culture with strong integration across practice groups

• Excellent platform for long-term career development within a growing practice

The firm is particularly interested in candidates who:

• Have between 2–5 PQE in leveraged finance, acquisition finance or broader debt finance matters

• Have trained and gained experience at a Magic Circle, elite US or other leading international platform

• Possess strong technical drafting and transactional skills

• Are commercially minded and confident operating in fast-paced transactional environments

• Can clearly articulate the commercial rationale and structuring considerations behind transactions they have worked on

• Thrive in collaborative, high-performing teams and are keen to take on significant responsibility early

Compensation is highly competitive, with market-leading salary levels alongside a highly attractive discretionary bonus structure.

This opportunity would particularly suit ambitious mid-level associates seeking a genuinely upward trajectory platform, high-end international deal exposure and the chance to play a visible role within a rapidly growing London finance practice.

If you would be interested in hearing more on a confidential basis, please feel free to get in touch.