Associate

Watson Farley & Williams; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Watson Farley & Williams in London is seeking a UK-qualified solicitor to join our expanding Financial Markets & Products team as a derivatives lawyer. You will advise financial institutions, sponsors and corporate clients on the full spectrum of OTC derivatives, including interest rate, FX and inflation hedging.

You will draft and negotiate ISDA and credit support documentation, intercreditor agreements and LMA facilities, contribute hedging strategies and advise on regulatory challenges,

Qualifications

• UK-qualified solicitor with experience in OTC derivatives products and related documentation
• Proven drafting and negotiation skills across ISDA, credit support and intercreditor arrangements
• Experience with LMA facility agreements in acquisition, project or other financings
• Ability to manage transactions autonomously and deliver high-quality client service

Responsibilities

• Advise financial institutions, sponsors and corporate clients on OTC derivatives matters
• Draft and negotiate ISDA documentation and related credit support/ security arrangements
• Develop hedging strategies and advise on intercreditor and secured financing structures
• Work with colleagues across sectors and global offices to deliver integrated services

Skills

OTC derivatives expertise

Financial markets experience

Autonomous / self-driven

Strong drafting skills

Education

UK Solicitor Qualification (England & Wales)

Tools

ISDA Documentation

LMA Facility Agreements

Intercreditor Agreements

Credit Support Documentation

Job description

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) is a sector-focused international law firm with extensive expertise and industry insight across its core sectors of energy, infrastructure and transport. Through its network of 19 offices, the firm advises clients on complex, high-value transactions and disputes – matters requiring precise legal execution and a nuanced understanding of global market dynamics.

The firm’s success is driven by its people. It fosters a collaborative, inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can grow, share ideas and make an impact. Guided by its values –We are experts, We are united and We care – the firm delivers exceptional service through strong relationships and teamwork. The firm is committed to clear career paths, championing diversity and investing in its people so they can thrive.

The department

This is an exciting opportunity to join an expanding financial markets & products team that provides debt capital markets, structured finance, derivates, restructuring and financial services regulatory expertise for clients across all of the Firm’s core sectors. As experienced, capital markets, structured finance and bank finance lawyers, our team have a breadth and depth of experience across the financial markets which enable them to provide a one-stop shop service for a range of potential integrated, cross-discipline financial products.

The successful candidate will primarily be focussed on advising financial institutions, sponsors and corporate clients in relation to the full spectrum of their OTC derivatives needs including interest rate, FX and inflation hedging as well as more bespoke commodity based transactions such as ISDA PPAs.

Key activities/responsibilities

Our current derivatives team is based in London andworks closely with our specialist finance colleagues in each of the core sectors and across the entire global WFW network. The team regularly works on transactions led out of London and other offices across Europe, as well as in Asia and the US.

The derivatives team advises clients across the full spectrum of OTC derivative products with a strong emphasis on secured finance-linked hedges in relation to asset financings, project financings and acquisition financings, including pre-hedging arrangements, deal contingent hedges, syndications and restucturings. This involves not only drafting and negotiation of the ISDA, security and other credit support documentation but also the associated hedging strategies, policies and intercreditor arrangements in the context of a broad range of markets, jurisdictions and capital structures.

We approach the market as a fully integrated group supported by our market leading colleagues in our financial service regulation team who are experienced in the UK, European, and Asian financial markets, and regularly advise banks, multilateral trading facilities, broker-dealers, asset managers, and investment advisors on regulatory challenges.

Skills and experience – essential

To be suitable for this position, you will most likely:

• be a UK qualified solicitor with between0 - 3 years PQE relevant experience gained at a respected law firm;
• have an excellent academic track record;
• have a broad knowledge and experience in OTC derivatives products, ISDA documentation and associated credit support / security arrangements, particularly in the context of finance-linked hedging transactions;
• have experience in LMA based facility agreements and intercreditor agreements in the context of either acquisition financing, project financing or other secured financings.
• have proven technical skills and the ability to draft structurally consistent and clear legal documents;
• be comfortable with managing transactions and can operate autonomously;
• have a hands-on flexible attitude to providing a high-quality client service;
• fit into the Firm’s culture of being dynamic, enterprising, creative and hard working.

We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees.

Additional information

The Firm promotes a culture of agility and flexibility and is fully supportive of flexible working arrangements where these can be accommodated.

Equal opportunities

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the firm’s strategy and underpin its efforts to attract and retain top talent. All employment decisions are made objectively, based on merit and ability and the firm is committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment. As a Disability Confident employer, WFW welcomes adjustments for candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions and participates in the Disability Confident interview scheme. If you would like to apply through this scheme or require adjustments during any stage of the process, please contact [e-mail] .