Associate/ Senior Associate - Aviation Finance

Clyde & Co; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunities for international secondments

Collaborative, high-performance environment

Clear path for progression

Job summary

Clyde & Co is looking for talented Associates in Aviation Finance to join our team in London. This role offers a chance to work on sophisticated transactions with major airlines and financial institutions.

With up to 5 years PQE preferred, you will lead on finance and leasing transactions while enjoying a supportive environment that fosters your professional growth.

Qualifications

• Up to 5 years PQE with strong experience in aviation finance or related asset finance practice.
• Ability to lead on drafting and negotiation of key documents.
• Strong academic background and excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support on a wide range of transactional, finance and leasing matters.
• Lead on drafting and negotiation of transaction documents.
• Manage client relationships with increasing autonomy.

Skills

Aviation finance

Commercial awareness

Drafting and negotiation

Client service

Communication skills

Education

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

Job Description | Associate, Aviation Finance

Department: Aviation Finance
Location: London, Permanent

We are seeking talented and driven Associates with up to 5 years post‑qualification experience to join our globally recognised Aviation Finance team in London. This is an exceptional opportunity to work at the heart of the firm’s market‑leading aviation practice, advising on some of the most sophisticated and high‑value transactions in the sector.

The Team

Our Aviation Finance team sits at the centre of the firm’s global aviation offering, with core hubs in London, New York and Dubai. We are widely recognised as the world’s leading legal team in this space, advising on the full spectrum of aircraft transactions— from commercial aircraft and business jets to engines and helicopters. Our clients include the world’s largest airlines, leasing companies, financial institutions and investors, and we are regularly instructed on complex, cross‑border deals involving cutting‑edge financing structures and major fleet acquisitions. Associates are immersed in live transactions from day one, supporting new aircraft deliveries, sale and leasebacks, and financings. They work closely with senior lawyers on negotiations, manage documentation, and help coordinate closings across multiple time zones.

The Role

You will support on a wide range of transactional, finance and leasing matters with our aviation clients, including commercial airlines and business jets. You will play a key role in advising on a wide range of cross‑border aircraft finance and leasing transactions, including:

• Operating and finance leases, JOLCOs, PDP financings, and sale and leasebacks
• Debt financing transactions
• Portfolio acquisitions and disposals
• Restructurings, novations, and repossessions
• Export credit and tax‑driven structures

You will be expected to take ownership of workstreams, lead on drafting and negotiation of transaction documents, and manage client relationships with increasing autonomy depending on experience. There may also be opportunities to support on contentious matters, including high‑value aviation disputes such as lease enforcement and commercial litigation. You will also contribute to business development initiatives and knowledge sharing within the team.

What We’re Looking For

Up to 5 years PQE with strong experience in aviation finance or a closely related asset finance practice are preferred, but experience in other areas of finance or related disciplines such as corporate will be considered.

• Demonstrated ability to lead on drafting and negotiation of key documents.
• Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to client service and business development.
• Strong academic background and excellent communication skills.
• A collaborative mindset and willingness to mentor trainees and junior team members.
• Qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales or another relevant jurisdiction.

Why Join Us

Our Aviation Finance team offers an exceptional platform for ambitious lawyers to thrive. As part of the firm’s fully integrated global aviation practice, you’ll be immersed in the aviation sector in a way that few other finance teams can offer. This unique positioning gives our associates a deeper understanding of the commercial and regulatory context in which our clients operate—enhancing the quality and relevance of the advice we provide. You’ll work alongside leading partners and senior lawyers on headline transactions, with direct access to clients and the opportunity to take on meaningful responsibility from day one. We offer a collaborative, high-performance environment where associates are supported to grow—professionally, commercially, and personally. With opportunities for international secondments, cross‑border deal experience, and a clear path for progression, this is a role that will challenge and reward in equal measure.

Equal Opportunities Statement

Clyde & Co is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. Our values encourage us to support fairness, celebrate diversity and prohibit all forms of discrimination in the workplace to allow everyone to excel at work. Therefore, we welcome and encourage all applications from suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background or identity.