Senior Associate - Banking & Finance

Clayton Utz; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexibility

Learning & development program

Technology-enabled practice

Job summary

Clayton Utz is seeking a senior Banking & Finance lawyer in Sydney to lead complex financing transactions, including leveraged and acquisition finance. You will work closely with partners, manage client relationships with autonomy, and contribute to business development.

The role offers mentoring from senior partners, opportunities to build your own profile, and a commitment to leadership development and thought leadership within a market-leading practice.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years' post-admission experience, gained at a top-tier or leading international law firm.
• Strong technical grounding in banking and finance law, with specific experience in leveraged and/or acquisition finance.
• Proven ability to proactively manage transactions and client relationships with a solid degree of autonomy.
• A commercial, solutions-focused approach and very strong drafting and negotiation skills.
• A collaborative working style, with a genuine interest in developing junior talent.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and develop junior lawyers within the team and contribute to business development activities.
• Play an active role in client relationship activities, including pitches and thought leadership.
• Lead on challenging and rewarding work in high-value financing transactions and complex deals.

Skills

Banking & finance law

Acquisition / leveraged finance

Client relationship management

Autonomy

Drafting & negotiation

Mentoring junior lawyers

Job description

About The Role

We have a rare opportunity to join our leading Banking & Finance team in Sydney, working closely with partners Alex Schlosser and Kate O'Donovan on some of the largest and most complex financing transactions in the market. The team regularly advises on acquisition finance and leveraged buyouts and large-scale corporate syndicated lending. The team's client base includes leading private equity sponsors, major investment banks, Australian and international financial institutions, credit funds, and listed and unlisted corporate borrowers — giving you genuine exposure to both lender-side and borrower-side work on high-value, market-shaping deals. As a senior member of the team, you will benefit from playing a lead role in challenging and rewarding work that gives you plenty of access to clients. You will be empowered and supported to build your own profile and practice through the dedicated mentorship of senior partners, as well as through our leadership development programs and other career networking opportunities. You will also play an active role supervising and developing junior lawyers within the team, and contributing to business development and client relationship activities, including pitches and thought leadership.

About You

We are keen to speak to talented lawyers who have:

• Minimum 6 years' post-admission experience, gained at a top-tier or leading international law firm
• Strong technical grounding in banking and finance law, with specific experience in leveraged and/or acquisition finance
• Proven ability to proactively manage transactions and client relationships with a solid degree of autonomy
• A commercial, solutions-focused approach and very strong drafting and negotiation skills
• A collaborative working style, with a genuine interest in developing junior talent.

Why Clayton Utz

Clayton Utz gives you the opportunity to work on landmark transactions for leading domestic and global clients, alongside partners recognised as market leaders by Chambers, Legal 500, IFLR1000 and AFR Best Lawyers. We offer genuine flexibility, a strong learning and development program, and cutting-edge technology to keep your legal skills sharp and ahead of the curve. In addition to the best work, we offer market leading benefits that support your health and wellbeing.

Accessibility and Inclusion

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments to complete your application, contact the recruiter via email to [e-mail].

We are committed to an inclusive culture in which all of our people are recognised for their unique contributions and are encouraged and supported to achieve their full potential.

Our Culture

As Australia’s leading independent law firm, our culture has been built by innovative thinkers. They are the driving force behind our firm and if you choose to be part of the team your expectations will be challenged every step of the way. As part of this innovative team you will be working across major national, government, and global clients. All the while collaborating with some of the sharpest legal minds in the industry. Clayton Utz has also been a powerful force in Australian pro bono practice, striving to deliver justice for those who need it and not just those who can afford it. In your time here you’ll be constantly surprised by the projects you get to work on and what you can accomplish. We’re looking for individuals who will thrive under our spirit of independence. Built around independent thinkers we believe surrounding ourselves with dynamic, ambitious and collaborative individuals is key to creating an environment of success. In return we're committed to fostering a career path that's unique to each individual. Imagine what you could achieve at a top law firm that actually values independent thinking. Are you up for the challenge?

Pro Bono

Pro bono is a fundamental part of Clayton Utz.

Career Development

By consulting with us you can expand your experience, develop your skill set and work on a variety of assignments with top-tier organisations in a range of sectors.