Associate - Asset Finance

A&O Shearman; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A&O Shearman in London is recruiting an Asset Finance Associate to join our Finance team. The role involves drafting, reviewing and amending shipping and offshore finance documentation, advising clients and helping manage deals from start to finish.

We seek a qualified lawyer with at least 2 years post-qualification experience in shipping and offshore energy finance and chartering, with strong technical knowledge, commercial sense and the ability to collaborate across a busy, international

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with post-qualification experience in shipping and offshore energy finance and chartering.
• Strong technical knowledge of the legal framework for asset finance in shipping.
• Commercial acumen with ability to provide pragmatic solutions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across an international team.
• Detail-oriented, organized and capable of managing multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing and amending shipping and offshore finance, construction and chartering documentation.
• Strategically advising clients in meetings, on the phone and in writing.
• Managing client expectations and project delivery appropriately.
• Business development – developing personal plan and supporting campaigns.
• Legal research and supervision of junior team members.
• Collaborative teamwork in a fast-paced, international environment.

Skills

Shipping finance

Offshore energy finance

Legal drafting

Client advisory

Job description

We are recruiting for an Asset Finance Associate to join our Finance team in London.

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE

The Asset Finance team has extensive experience advising on transactions in all sectors of the asset and offshore energy finance market. Our client base includes shipowners, sponsors, private equity firms, banks, financiers, charterers, airlines, lessors, manufacturers, captive finance companies, operators, borrowers, lessees, export credit agencies and governmental and international organisations.

We advise on both domestic and cross-border asset financings including all types of debt, lease (both tax and non-tax-based) and capital markets driven products, securitisations, receivables financings, vendor programmes and retail finance. The team advises on the sale and purchase of leasing companies and both asset and debt portfolios and the structuring of regional and global leasing business networks. We also advise on aircraft repossessions, ship arrests and airline and shipowner restructurings and insolvencies.

We cover: all types of vessel and offshore installations including LNG carriers, container ships, FPSOs, drill ships/drilling rigs, tankers, VLCCs, cruise ships and luxury yachts, all types of ship and aircraft financing.

We also advise on all types of domestic and cross-border asset financings including rail, power plants, wind farms, transmission lines, water treatment facilities, pipelines, vehicle fleets, bridges, tunnels, office buildings, retail facilities, manufacturing plants, mining equipment, films, satellites, computer and other technology hardware and software.

ROLE & RESPONSBILITIES

• Drafting, reviewing and amending shipping and offshore finance, construction and chartering documentation
• Strategically advising clients in meetings, on the phone and in writing
• Managing client expectations and project delivery appropriately
• Business development – development of personal plan, assistance with and implementation of business development campaign
• Legal research
• Supervision of junior team members

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Qualified lawyer, with a minimum of 2 years post qualified experience within shipping and offshore energy finance and chartering
• Strong technical knowledge of the legal framework surrounding structured and asset finance particularly in the field of shipping and offshore finance
• Intellectual curiosity and versatility
• Self-starter with the desire and ability to continuously acquire, build upon and share knowledge
• Detail-focused and self-motivated approach
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Excellent client relationship skills
• Sound experience of operating at associate level within a complex international organisation
• Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to deliver creative and pragmatic solutions and advice
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win the respect of the partner and fee-earner community, building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborative team player with the ability to develop and work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment
• A person of sound judgment, able to establish a high level of credibility

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.