Leveraged Finance Lawyer – International Firm London
A leading international law firm is seeking to expand its Leveraged Finance (LevFin) practice in London, with a current focus on hiring high-calibre associates at 3–5 PQE level (with flexibility down to strong 2 PQE candidates).
This is a key strategic hire, with the team actively looking to strengthen capacity following recent internal movement and continued demand from a strong pipeline of sponsor and lender-side transactions. With one offer already made and further interviews underway, the team is actively seeking additional strong candidates for partner consideration.
The Leveraged Finance team sits within a highly regarded international finance platform, advising on a broad range of complex financing transactions across the European leveraged loan and acquisition finance markets.
The practice is deeply embedded in the sponsor and lender ecosystem and is particularly active in:
* Acquisition finance and leveraged buyouts (LBOs)
* Structuring and negotiating senior, unitranche, mezzanine, and holdco debt packages
* Advising on refinancings, amendments, and debt restructurings
* Cross-border multi-lender syndicated facilities
* Sponsor-backed transactions involving leading private equity houses and debt funds
* Complex intercreditor and security structuring arrangements
Associates in the team gain hands-on exposure to the full lifecycle of leveraged finance transactions, including:
* Drafting and negotiating LMA-based facility agreements and related finance documents
* Coordinating across lenders, sponsors, and borrower groups on live transactions
* Structuring debt packages across multi-layered capital stacks
* Advising on financial covenant packages, security structures, and intercreditor arrangements
* Managing execution on fast-paced deal timelines in competitive auction processes
* Supporting senior lawyers on origination, execution, and closing phases of transactions
The work is highly transactional, fast-moving, and commercially driven, requiring strong technical capability combined with the ability to perform under pressure in a competitive market environment.
The team operates with a clear internal structure aligned to PQE level, ensuring appropriate responsibility, development, and progression at each stage. Associates benefit from:
* A structured induction and integration period (3–6 months)
* Exposure to multiple partners across a broad leveraged finance platform
* A defined competency framework covering technical excellence, financial acumen, and business development
* Early responsibility for financial management, client interaction, and transaction coordination
* Strong emphasis on technical training and long-term progression within the finance group
The team is currently in a high-demand phase, with leveraged finance remaining a particularly competitive and fast-moving market, and candidate movement across the City notably limited.
Candidate Profile
The firm is seeking candidates who can demonstrate:
* 3–5 years PQE (minimum 2 PQE considered in exceptional cases)
* Qualification in England & Wales (other common law jurisdictions may be considered)
* Strong experience in a leading leveraged finance practice
* Ideally sponsor-side or private equity lender-side exposure
* Solid understanding of LBO financing structures and syndicated lending markets
* Experience working on complex, cross-border financing transactions
* Strong technical drafting ability and commercial awareness
* Ability to operate effectively in a high-pressure, deal-driven environment
Compensation & Structure
* Highly competitive US-style compensation platform
* Market-leading total compensation outside US firms
* Bonus eligibility from 1,750 billable hours
* Strong progression through PQE-linked salary bands (highly competitive across City market)
* Structured reward framework aligned to performance and contribution
Culture & Environment
* Collaborative, multi-partner environment with strong internal mobility
* Clear alignment between responsibility, PQE level, and progression expectations
* Focus on technical excellence, commercial thinking, and deal execution capability
* Strong emphasis on training, integration, and long-term development
This is a high-priority live search, with the team actively looking to broaden its shortlist for partner review.
For experienced leveraged finance lawyers seeking exposure to high-value sponsor and lender-side transactions within a top-tier international platform, this represents a strong opportunity in a competitive and fast-moving market.
For a confidential discussion, please feel free to get in touch directly.