Leveraged Finance Associate

Buchanan; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Buchanan's top-tier Leveraged Finance team in the UK is seeking an associate to join a lender-side-focused, partner-led practice with direct exposure to senior lawyers.

The role offers a genuine progression runway, meritocratic deal allocation, and a dedicated bootcamp plus Talent Manager to support growth. Expect high-profile, cross-border financings and sponsor-backed transactions.

Qualifications

• Qualified in England & Wales (essential).
• 2-6 years PQE in private practice.
• Strong experience advising lenders in leveraged finance.
• Excellent technical grounding in complex financing structures.
• Commercial mindset for lean, high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Advising lenders on leveraged finance transactions.
• Managing cross-border, sponsor-backed deals.

Skills

Leveraged finance

Sponsorship experience

Cross-border deals

Lenders advisory

Private practice

Job description

A rare seat in a rebuilding, top-tier Leveraged Finance practice with genuine, unblocked progression

A well-established Leveraged Finance team is looking to strengthen its bench following recent moves in the market. This is a deliberate, strategic hire rather than a reactive backfill: the team is looking to make additions with top-tier associates and is prepared to move at the right pace for the right person, including engaging early with candidates who aren't yet actively looking.

You'll join a collaborative, partner-led team with direct exposure to senior lawyers and a consistently strong, lender-side-focused deal flow. The work sits firmly at the top of the market:

• Sponsor-backed leveraged buyouts (bank and private credit financed)


• Term Loan B, High Yield Bond, and direct lending structures


• Refinancings, repricings, and syndicated financings


• Special situations lending for marquee credit funds and sponsors


• Both lender-side (the core strength of the team) and borrower-side mandates


• High-profile, cross-border transactions alongside leading global sponsors

What You Get In Return

• Genuine progression runway. This is not an overcrowded team there's a clear, visible path for senior associates, backed by a strong internal track record of promotion.


• Meritocratic work allocation. Deal allocation is based on ability, not seniority junior and mid-level associates get real responsibility early.


• Structured development. A dedicated in-house Leveraged Finance \"Bootcamp\" for junior lawyers, plus a Talent Manager focused specifically on associate growth and progression planning.


• Market-leading compensation. Cravath-scale base pay plus a competitive, US-aligned bonus structure.

What They Are Looking For

• Qualified in England & Wales (essential)


• Trained and qualified at a Magic Circle or Elite US firm


• Currently at a private practice firm with between 2-6 years post-qualification experience


• Strong, demonstrable experience advising lenders on leveraged finance transactions


• Excellent technical grounding across complex financing structures


• A commercial mindset and the ability to thrive in a lean, high-performing team environment

Process

Typically two to three stages: initial partner meetings, follow-up partner interviews, and where required a final-stage discussion. Informal, no-strings conversations are welcomed at an early stage for candidates who are simply keeping an eye on the market.