Impact Finance Associate/Senior Associate

Bates Wells; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading City law firm in London seeks an experienced Impact Finance Associate/Senior Associate. The role involves advising clients on impact finance transactions, leading complex lending transactions, and developing client relationships. With a commitment to social purpose, the successful candidate will be part of an award-winning team, impacting society positively through financial expertise. Ideal for UK-qualified solicitors with 3-7 years PQE and strong knowledge of charity and social enterprise sectors.

Benefits

Sustainable pensions

IVF support

Private healthcare

Qualifications

• 3-7 years PQE with some flexibility.
• Experience in LMA-based secured and unsecured complex lending transactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead transactions and develop client relationships.
• Advise on impact finance transactions and social investment.
• Work with ethical lenders and charities.

Skills

UK-qualified solicitor

Experience in complex lending transactions

Education

Law degree

Job description

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Impact Finance Associate/Senior Associate

Department: Charity & Social Enterprise

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London

Description

Why Bates Wells?

We're an award winning, purpose driven City law firm. We were the first UK law firm to become a B Corp and are the highest scoring global law firm in the B Corp community. Globally recognised as the market leading UK firm for charities and purpose-driven organisations, our commercial teams are also using law as a force for good and driving change from the inside out.

Our values are key to our success, and you'll be able to make a real impact from day one.

Come and join the firm who have a standout and authentic commitment to a triple bottom line, where we'll never prioritise profit over people and planet.

The role

An excellent opportunity for an experienced debt finance lawyer to join our market-leading impact finance team, advising banking, finance and impact investing clients including ethical lenders, banks, UK and international impact investors, DFIs, social enterprises and charities.

The role offers significant client contact, with responsibility for leading transactions, developing client relationships and supervising junior team members.

Key Responsibilities

Impact investing, including development finance (two thirds of the role)

• We have a deep understanding of the issues faced by those seeking to make or raise investments that provide both a financial return and positive value for society. Impact finance transactions are typically tailored and may incorporate social impact metrics to honour the integrity and social purpose of the organisation receiving investment. Our advice centres on delivering social impact deals with integrity.
• We do not just advise on the law in this field; we also shape policy and key developments. This includes making the case for the statutory social investment power for charities, working with Government on the design of social investment tax relief, and structuring institutions such as Big Society Capital, Social Finance and Charity Bank.
• Our fast-growing international development finance practice focuses on transactions in emerging markets and the Global South, including debt (such as development impact bonds), blended finance, quasi-equity, equity and fund investments. Clients include DFIs, credit funds, family offices and foundations, as well as international NGOs, social enterprises and grassroots organisations.
• We support clients in structuring and documenting the full range of impact finance transactions, and in navigating related legal and regulatory issues, including charity law, FCA regulation, and constitutional and governance matters.

Commercial debt financing, including real estate financing (one third of the role)

• We advise a broad spectrum of clients, including ethical and traditional lenders and borrowers and private banks, on a wide range of financing arrangements, including corporate, acquisition, receivables, trade and real estate finance.
• We are panel lawyers for a number of lenders, ranging from those focused on social impact to traditional clearing banks.
• Our borrower clients range from SMEs to multinational corporations, as well as social housing providers, charities, other not-for-profit entities, developers, investors, funds, trusts and high-net-worth individuals.
• We regularly advise on the financing of real estate developments and commercial and residential portfolios, including social housing, care homes, schools and sporting facilities, working closely with our real estate, construction and planning teams, supported by corporate, tax, charity and trust specialists.

About You

• You will be a UK-qualified solicitor 3-7 years PQE (with some flexibility).
• Experience of LMA-based secured and unsecured complex lending transactions.

About our Impact Finance team

Our Impact Finance team focuses on impact investment transactions and social investment advisory work, both in the UK and internationally. The team is led by partners with specialist expertise in debt and equity financing, combined with deep sector knowledge and a strong understanding of the charity and social enterprise sector. We regularly advise on innovative and emerging models that are at the cutting edge of the market and seek to address key social and environmental challenges.

The Impact Finance team sits within our wider charity and social enterprise practice, and the successful candidate is also likely to be involved in a broad range of work across the firm, advising a diverse portfolio of charities and social enterprises.

What are we like to work for?

Impact-Driven Purpose

We align profit with social purpose to create lasting positive impact for our people, communities, and planet.

Committed to the Climate:

Through our Climate & Nature Group, we reduce environmental impact and drive a just transition to net zero.

Championing Inclusion

We foster a diverse, inclusive culture
where creativity and innovation thrive.

Flexible and Hybrid Working

Our hybrid model
supports balance, with part-time options and at least two office days weekly.

Progressive Benefits

We offer sustainable pensions, IVF
support, private healthcare, and more for your well-being and growth.

At Bates Wells, equity, diversity, and inclusion are part of who we are and how we work. As a B Corp and purpose-driven law firm, we're committed to building a workplace that is fair, inclusive, and representative of all.