Restructuring Associate

Baker McKenzie; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Baker McKenzie is seeking a mid-level Associate to join the Restructuring & Insolvency team in London. You will advise on restructuring, insolvency, directors’ duties, and distressed M&A, working with a broad range of stakeholders.

The team emphasizes direct client contact, responsibility, and collaboration within a global firm. Prior experience at a leading City or US firm is preferred, with strong drafting and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Mid-qualified lawyer with 2–4 PQE and strong academic credentials.
• Experience in the restructuring/insolvency team of a leading City or US firm.
• Excellent communication and drafting skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise on restructuring, insolvency, directors’ duties, and distressed M&A.
• Engage with debtors, creditors, and insolvency practitioners in a collaborative environment.
• Develop strong client relationships and take responsibility for these relationships.
• Contribute to business development and firm promotion activities.

Skills

Client relationships

Communication skills

Drafting skills

Team player

Keenness to learn

Education

Law degree

Job description

We are seeking a mid-level Associate to join the Restructuring & Insolvency team. The team currently comprises of 1 partner, 1 counsel, 1 senior associate, 2 associates and 1 professional support lawyer. The Restructuring & Insolvency team is part of the wider Banking & Finance Department comprising 16 partners and 30 Associates and Trainees.

Key aspects of the role and team:

• You will be advising clients on the full spectrum of special situations, restructuring and insolvency-related matters, including advising on directors’ duties, wholly consensual restructurings, court-based restructuring processes, insolvency advice and distressed M&A transactions
• The team advises a range of stakeholders with a balanced practice advising debtors (companies, shareholders, boards), creditors (institutional lenders, funds, other financing providers) and insolvency practitioners. Associates work in a collegiate environment and can expect a good variety of work
• Associates are given regular and direct contact with clients, with a culture based on associates being given the level of responsibility they are ready for, rather than a PQE-based method of work allocation
• Developing relationships with clients, including gaining a good knowledge of the client’s businesses, economic drivers, market and sector requirements is encouraged in order to ensure advice is relevant and commercial
• There are ample opportunities to engage in business development activities, and you will be expected to be active in the promotion of the Firm, including through membership of industry bodies and associations

The Team

As noted above, the Restructuring & Insolvency team which sits within, and works closely with, the firm's broader Banking & Finance Practice.

We advise clients on enforcement situations, work-outs and restructurings and distressed investments. As a Firm, we are noted for our expertise in real estate finance, special situations lending, securitisations and financial regulatory work, especially advising on bespoke complex transactions and those involving emerging markets.

The London team is an integrated part of the Firm's Global Restructuring and Insolvency Group with top-tier practitioners in the world's key financial money centres, many of whom are regularly featured in the top tier of rankings in both Legal 500 and Chambers for Banking and Finance.

Skills and experience:

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate all or the majority of the following:

• A mid-qualified lawyer with 2-4 PQE, excellent academic credentials and first-rate technical skills
• Current experience in the restructuring / insolvency team of a leading City or US firm
• Excellent communication and drafting skills
• Able to develop strong relationships with clients and to take responsibility for this relationship
• Able to work well in both a team and individually
• A keenness to learn
• Respect and enjoyment for the diversity of cultural, social and academic backgrounds found in the Firm

Baker McKenzie is a truly global law firm. Founded in 1949, we advise many of the world’s most dynamic and successful business organisations through our 12,000 people in 72 offices in 45 countries. Yet big does not mean impersonal. We work hard to ensure that everyone knows their role and has the support they need to perform it to the highest standard. Our culture encourages this - how we work, think and behave in a collaborative and fulfilling way.

In London you will be part of an office with more than 900 people, which is also our largest office globally. Originally opened in 1961, Baker McKenzie London is well established in the UK as a leading international law firm and is regularly involved in some of the country's most high-profile legal matters. We can offer you the work, pride and experience of being part of a leading law firm but in a local office environment that is hardworking, yet friendly and supportive.

• The strength of the firm and our culture is evidenced by a number of recent rankings and awards, including:
• Recognised by both The Legal 500 and Chambers as a leading Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency team in London
• Priyanka Usmani, Partner, recognised by Chambers for her expertise in Restructuring/Insolvency
• Ranked for Global Multi-Jurisdictional Banking & Finance, Chambers Global 2026
• Winner: Africa-wide Banking & Finance Law Firm of the Year, Chambers Africa Awards 2026
• Winner: Syndicated Corporate Loan Law Firm of the Year, Asia Pacific Syndicated Loan Market Awards 2026 (ALPMA's)
• Winner: Finance Deal of the Year, The Asian Lawyer Asia Legal Awards 2025