Associate - Leveraged Finance

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in London is expanding its Leveraged Finance Group and seeking ambitious mid-level associates. The role involves working on complex international transactions, including acquisition financings and security document negotiations. Ideal candidates should have solid leveraged finance experience, strong communication skills, and a proactive approach to client service. Benefits include training, career development, and exposure to top-tier clients globally, along with a commitment to equal opportunities.

Benefits

Comprehensive training

Career development opportunities

Exposure to top-tier clients

Qualifications

• Solid leveraged finance experience from a leading law firm.
• Strong technical and commercial skills required.
• Must be qualified to practice law in a common-law jurisdiction.
• Excellent communication and team leadership abilities are essential.
• Proactive approach to client service and business development.

Responsibilities

• Work on acquisition financings and refinancing transactions.
• Draft and negotiate various financing agreements.
• Coordinate and collaborate with cross-border teams.

Skills

Leveraged finance experience

Technical skills

Commercial skills

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Qualified in England & Wales or another common-law jurisdiction

Job description

We’re expanding our Leveraged Finance Group in London and looking for ambitious, experienced, and motivated associates to join us for the long term.

About the Role

Our mid‑level Associates work on a broad mix of international transactions including:

• Acquisition financings, refinancings and strategic financings, in particular for private equity and other financial sponsor clients
• Drafting and negotiating facilities agreements, intercreditor agreements, and security documents
• Coordinating cross-border teams and collaborating with colleagues across corporate, tax, competition, and other practices

About Our Leveraged Finance Group

Our team sits within the Global Transactions department, alongside our private equity M&A, public M&A, corporate finance, and real estate teams. We focus on large, and complex leveraged buy‑out transactions and financing arrangements for top‑tier financial investors—including private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, and infrastructure funds.

We also advise public and private companies across a wide range of leveraged financing products. Our London team is a balanced mix of English and New York law practitioners, with deep expertise in European / US cross‑border financings, bank / bond structures, unitranche, senior / mezzanine, high yield bonds, and back‑leverage transactions. We operate as an integrated global team, working closely with colleagues in New York, Europe, and Asia to deliver seamless advice and share best practices across jurisdictions.

What We’re Looking For

• Solid leveraged finance experience (borrower / sponsor or creditor side) from a leading law firm
• Strong technical and commercial skills
• Qualified in England & Wales or another common‑law jurisdiction
• Excellent communication and team leadership abilities
• A proactive approach to client service, business development, and knowledge sharing

Why Join Us?

• Work with top‑tier clients
• Be part of a truly international team
• Gain exposure to a wide range of financing products
• Benefit from comprehensive training, career development, and secondment opportunities

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having / securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer : we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.

Please let us know if you require any support, or adjustments to be made, in order to submit your application to Freshfields.