Associate / Senior Associate / Legal Director - Yachts

Hill Dickinson LLP; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hill Dickinson LLP in London leads a growing Yacht team, offering opportunities in superyacht and private aviation financing with a market-leading client base. The role involves drafting, negotiating, and advising on complex finance and non-contentious marine matters for banks, borrowers and asset financiers.

Based in London, the team collaborates across ongoing projects, with potential exposure to new build and S&P work, and a culture that supports flexible working and professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience in yacht or private aviation teams, or broader non-contentious marine/private client work or asset finance.
• Transactional drafting and negotiating capabilities.
• Knowledge of company/commercial, financing and banking principles.
• Ability to work in a team and independently.
• Interest and aptitude for developing new business.
• Strong academic record and legal precision.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Pragmatic approach to legal and commercial problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Superyacht and aviation financing for banks and borrowers, covering term sheets, loan documentation, conditions precedent and subsequent, drawdown mechanics and related new build/S&P documentation.
• Advising clients on yacht and private aviation contracts (new construction and S&P), corporate ownership structuring and related agreements.
• Supporting business development by engaging with banks, brokers, managers and potential clients when needed.

Skills

Yacht/Private aviation experience

Transactional drafting

Financing & banking principles

Team work & independence

Business development interest

Strong academics

Time management

Client service orientation

Job description

London

Full time

Permanent

Job role

Associate / Senior Associate / Legal Director

Hours

Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 17:30 (37.5 hours per week)

At Hill Dickinson, flexibility is an established part of our culture. Our commitment to supporting colleagues to balance their work and home lives has previously been awarded. We are happy to consider flexible working opportunities and welcome conversations about individual requirements throughout the recruitment process.

Location

London

Role overview

Introduction to the role:

This is an exciting opportunity to join our growing Yacht team.

The successful candidate will ideally have some experience working within a yacht or private aviation team, or experience of other broader, non-contentious marine or private client work or asset finance.

Introduction to the team:

Our Yacht team, now 28 strong and based across London and Monaco, is widely acknowledged as a market leader for legal services to the superyacht industry. Our clients include owners, financiers, brokers, project managers and designers who all trust us to deliver a first-class, customer‑focussed service.

Key responsibilities

• Superyacht and aviation financing, acting for both banks and borrowers, in relation to term sheets, loan documentation, conditions precedent and subsequent, the mechanics of drawdown and impact on the appropriate new build / sale and purchase documentation

Further, as and when required, the role may involve the following:

• Advising clients on:
• Yacht and private aviation contracts (new construction and S&P)
• Corporate requirements (ownership structuring, board resolutions, PoAs)
• Commercial agreements (design, management, service & supply, equipment)
• Business development – interacting with private and asset finance banks and finance brokers and additionally and when necessary, potential clients, referrers and other intermediaries (brokers, designers, managers, shipyards, brokers), preparing marketing literature, client briefings, pitches etc.

What are we looking for

• Some experience working within a yacht or private aviation team, or experience of other broader, non-contentious marine or private client work or asset finance
• Transactional, drafting and negotiating experience
• Knowledge of company/commercial, financing, banking principles
• Ability/willingness to work as part of a team and independently
• An interest and aptitude for developing new business
• Strong academics, legal precision and ability to multi-task
• Strong organisational, interpersonal and communication skills
• Pragmatic approach to legal and commercial problem-solving
• Demonstrable ability to meet deadlines and adhere to guidelines and procedures (client and internal)

If you don't meet all of the criteria above but feel that you could add real value to Hill Dickinson, we encourage you to submit an application and if successful, we can help you develop along the way.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Hill Dickinson is committed to providing fairness and equal opportunity for all regardless of age, gender, gender identity, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital or transgender status, nationality, religion or belief.

We understand that our power as a firm comes from empowering our people and that it is only by encouraging and enabling individuals to be themselves at work that we can truly benefit from their rich and varied strengths.

Hill Dickinson is an equal opportunities employer. All applications received by the firm will be considered based on their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background and from all routes to qualification, with both the SRA and CILEx.

Disability Support

We are a Disability Confident employer, which means if there is anything that we can do to make your visit easier, so you are able to perform at your best, please let us know. You can contact the HR team at [e-mail] should you require any adjustments to the application or interview process.

At Hill Dickinson, we welcome applications from individuals that are looking to return to the law as well as all routes to qualification, with both the SRA and CILEx.

All successful candidates will be subject to our standard pre‑employment screening, including a basic criminal record check via Disclosure and Barring Service. Any offer of employment made is conditional upon completion of all checks.

Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Dependent on experience