Derivatives Lawyer – International Firm London
A leading international law firm is in the early stages of a targeted hire within its London Structured Finance / Derivatives practice, sitting within a broader Debt Capital Markets platform.
Following a recent senior hire, the team is now looking to bring in a high-quality junior associate (1–4 PQE) to support its continued development and maintain depth across a technically sophisticated and evolving practice area.
This is an opportunity to join a highly specialised and intellectually rigorous team, advising on a broad spectrum of structured products, derivatives, and securitisation-related matters.
The practice operates at the intersection of capital markets, structured finance, and derivatives, offering exposure to:
* The establishment and ongoing maintenance of structured products programmes (both on- and off-balance sheet)
* Advising on securitised and OTC derivatives transactions
* Structuring and negotiating hedging arrangements within broader financing transactions
* Structured repo and securities lending arrangements
* Repackaging transactions and complex structured solutions
* Regulatory advice relating to derivatives and structured finance frameworks
Associates in this team develop a deep technical understanding of financial products, working closely with both internal stakeholders and sophisticated clients. The role involves:
* Drafting and negotiating highly technical documentation, often across multiple product types
* Advising on the structuring of complex financial instruments, balancing legal, regulatory, and commercial considerations
* Supporting on cross-border transactions, often involving multiple jurisdictions and regulatory regimes
* Working closely with financial institutions, investment banks, and asset managers
* Developing an understanding of how derivatives and structured products operate in practice, including risk allocation and market dynamics
This is a space that requires strong attention to detail, but also offers the opportunity to build genuinely differentiated expertise in an area that remains in high demand and relatively niche.
Candidate Profile
The team is open-minded but targeting candidates who can demonstrate:
* 1–4 years’ PQE
* Experience in structured finance, derivatives, DCM, or broader finance work
* A strong academic background and technical aptitude
* An interest in complex financial products and market-facing work
* The ability to operate within a collaborative, partner-led team
Given current market conditions, there may be some flexibility on background and exact experience for strong candidates with the right skill set and mindset.
This is an opportunity to join a specialist structured finance / derivatives practice within a strong international platform and exposure to highly technical, market-relevant work across multiple product areas.
Culture & Compensation
* Standard working hours of 9:30am – 5:30pm (with flexibility depending on deal demands)
* Target of ~1,700 hours, reflecting a more balanced approach than many peer firms
* Flexible working model, with approximately 40% remote / 60% office-based
* A culture that emphasises sustainability, collaboration, and long-term development
* Competitive salary structure (with £140k at NQ level)
* Broader compensation discussed later in process
This is a relatively early-stage process, offering candidates the opportunity to engage before the search becomes more competitive.