Associate, Project Development and Finance

TN United Kingdom; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a proactive Associate for their Project Development and Finance group in London. This role offers the opportunity to work on high-profile international projects, where you will draft and negotiate complex commercial contracts across various sectors. You will collaborate with a diverse team, engage with international clients, and participate in cross-border transactions. The firm values excellence and provides a supportive environment for professional growth, making this an exciting opportunity for motivated legal professionals.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Pension plan with matched contributions

Wellbeing funds

Income protection

Holiday purchase options

Life and critical illness insurance

Private GP services

Travel and dental insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• 2-4 years PQE with experience in commercial contracts.
• Strong academic record and ability to summarize contractual issues.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and negotiate complex commercial agreements.
• Conduct research and draft memoranda on legal issues.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships.

Skills

Drafting commercial contracts

Negotiation skills

Legal research

Client communication

Time management

Commercial awareness

Cross-border transaction understanding

Education

Law degree

PQE 2-4 years

Job description

Associate, Project Development and Finance

Are you ready to make your mark as part of the Project Development and Finance group in our London office?

Firm Summary

White & Case is an elite global law firm serving leading companies, financial institutions, and governments worldwide. Our long history as an international firm means we are perfectly placed to help our clients resolve their most complex legal challenges wherever they may be.

With lawyers and staff operating from more than 47 locations, working in virtually every country of the world, we have invested heavily in building a high-quality full-service practice competing at the top of the market. We are distinguished by our on-the-ground presence in the world’s key financial markets and our strengths in handling complex cross-border work.

It’s not just about our global network of offices and shared services centers; it’s the global interconnectedness of the Firm that our people and clients value most. We work well together across geographic and practice boundaries. It’s one of the reasons we attract and retain cross-border work and a diverse group of people.

Our lawyers are globally minded, enterprising, collaborative, and committed to excellence. Diversity is a core value of our Firm and it has been recognized with numerous awards and top rankings worldwide. Our people represent 90 nationalities and speak 80 languages.

About the role

As an Associate, you will be highly organized, deadline-focused, and adept at managing multiple workstreams and matters, driving processes forward, and delivering flawless work within short timeframes.

You will have an interest in complex and cutting-edge international project development and commercial contracts work. You should have experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a broad range of commercial contracts across sectors like energy, infrastructure, and natural resources, in jurisdictions including emerging markets. You should understand and work with commercial aspects of contracts, including pricing and similar formulae.

Excellent communication skills and fluency in relevant languages are significant assets. You should be proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently and collaboratively. The role involves working with colleagues across the Firm’s international practices and offices, building professional relationships globally.

Given the international dimension, geopolitical awareness is essential for understanding the wider context of deals and interacting effectively with international clients. Patience, focus, and flexibility are required for large-scale transactions that can take months or years to complete.

Self-motivated and proactive, you should be eager to demonstrate dedication and commitment to delivering high-quality work.

About the practice

Our Project Development and Finance Group has a worldwide reputation for helping sponsors, developers, and lenders achieve complex project goals. We offer extensive knowledge and experience across jurisdictions and sectors, advising on project development and financing matters globally.

From the start, you will work with leading practitioners within our Group and across other practice areas, engaging with international clients and participating in cross-border transactions, which may involve international travel.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and negotiate complex commercial agreements and documents.
• Summarize complex contractual and transactional issues for clients.
• Conduct research and draft memoranda on legal issues.
• Participate in due diligence and analyze agreements in data rooms.
• Communicate with clients via telephone and email.
• Identify opportunities for business development and support firm-wide strategies.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Develop and share sector and legal knowledge internally and externally.

Qualifications and skills

• 2-4 PQE.
• Several years of experience with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts in energy, infrastructure, and natural resources sectors.
• Ability to work with and summarize non-legal, commercial aspects of contracts, including pricing formulae.
• Strong academic record and intellectual curiosity.
• Understanding of risks in cross-border transactions.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Strong time management and ability to work under pressure.
• Commercial awareness and big-picture thinking.
• Client service orientation.
• Team player with sound judgment.
• Proactive and resourceful, with initiative.
• International experience and language skills are advantageous.

What We Offer

At White & Case, you will work on high-profile deals, shape the legal landscape, and grow professionally. We support your development with comprehensive training and a rewarding environment that recognizes high performance.

Our benefits include flexible work arrangements, healthcare, pension, wellbeing funds, insurance, and other support services designed to meet your needs across life stages.

About White & Case

We are a global law firm with longstanding offices in key markets. Our local expertise, cross-border integration, and extensive team of US and English-qualified lawyers enable us to serve clients confidently worldwide.

Location and Reporting

This role is based in London, reporting to the Project Development and Finance partners. Our standard hours are 09:30-18:00, with a requirement for three days in the office per week.

Firm Benefits

• Private medical insurance
• Pension plan with matched contributions
• Wellbeing funds
• Income protection
• Holiday purchase options
• Life and critical illness insurance
• Private GP services
• Travel and dental insurance
• Cycle to work scheme

Equal Opportunity Statement

White & Case is committed to diversity and inclusion. We recruit, employ, and promote without discrimination based on protected categories. Assistance and accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities. We are supported by preferred recruitment suppliers, and applications directly submitted to partners or employees are not accepted as formal introductions.