Senior Associate

Dentons Canada; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Dentons is seeking a senior Banking & Finance lawyer to join our Edinburgh team, covering corporate lending and real estate finance for UK and international clients.

You will lead transactions, supervise junior lawyers, build strong client relationships, and contribute to business development in a collaborative, cross-office setting spanning Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

Qualifications

• 6+ PQE in banking and finance within a top private practice.
• Strong knowledge of corporate lending and real estate finance.
• Experience leading transactions and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and client management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead transactions from inception to completion, including cross-border matters.
• Supervise junior lawyers and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop business and client initiatives within the Banking & Finance practice.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of market developments and regulatory changes.

Skills

6+ PQE in banking & finance

Corporate lending

Real estate finance

Lenders & borrowers experience

Cross-border transactions

Client relationship management

Education

Solicitor (UK), qualified in England & Wales or Scotland

Job description

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Department/Division: Banking & Finance
Duration: Permanent
PQE: 6+
Reports to: Partner
Type of Role: Hybrid

The Role

To undertake a broad range of finance work, including corporate lending and real estate finance, as a senior lawyer within our market-leading Banking and Finance team. You will advise a diverse client base, including major UK and international banks, alternative lenders, debt funds, investors and corporate borrowers – including some of the largest and most successful corporates in Scotland and beyond.

Our team is integrated across our Edinburgh, Glasgow and London offices, and you will work collaboratively with colleagues across all three locations. Many of our transactions have a cross-border element, providing the opportunity to work with Dentons' extensive global network and advise on high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions.

You will take a leading role in managing transactions, building strong client relationships and supervising and developing junior lawyers. You will also be encouraged to contribute to business development, thought leadership and client initiatives. In return, you will benefit from Dentons' collaborative culture, extensive know-how resources and award-winning learning and development programmes that support your continued professional growth.

Required Experience, Skills, and Attributes

Role Requirements

• Significant post-qualification experience (typically 6+ PQE) advising on a broad range of finance transactions, including corporate lending and real estate finance, gained within a leading private practice firm (we are happy to consider Scots law and/or English law candidates).
• Strong technical knowledge of banking and finance law, with demonstrable experience advising lenders and/or borrowers on complex secured lending transactions.
• Experience of leading transactions, managing matters from inception to completion and coordinating multidisciplinary teams across banking, real estate, corporate and other practice areas.
• Commercially minded, with a genuine interest in the banking and finance market and a commitment to keeping abreast of legal, market and regulatory developments affecting the sector.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and build credibility with clients, colleagues and external advisers at all levels.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and manage multiple transactions simultaneously.
• A collaborative approach, with the confidence to work independently, supervise junior lawyers and contribute positively to a high-performing team.
• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to respond to changing client requirements and evolving market conditions.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and maintaining strong client relationships, with a focus on delivering commercially pragmatic advice and excellent client service.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify practical solutions to complex legal and commercial issues.
• Ambitious, proactive and committed to developing a long-term career within a leading international Banking & Finance practice.
• A genuine enthusiasm for business development, with experience of supporting client initiatives, networking, profile-raising activities and identifying opportunities to strengthen existing and new client relationships.

Personal Qualities

• Builds strong and collaborative relationships across the Banking & Finance team and the wider firm, working seamlessly with colleagues across jurisdictions and practice areas. Actively supports the development of junior lawyers and contributes to an inclusive, high-performing team culture.
• Communicates clearly, confidently and effectively, both verbally and in writing, tailoring advice to clients and stakeholders while building trusted relationships.
• Embraces new ways of working and changing client needs, promoting innovation and the effective use of legal technology and AI to enhance client service and delivery.
• Develops trusted adviser relationships by understanding clients' commercial objectives and delivering responsive, pragmatic and high-quality legal advice.
• Applies sound legal judgement and commercial awareness to analyse complex issues, manage risk and deliver practical, solution-focused outcomes.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to excellence, taking ownership of matters, leading transactions efficiently and consistently delivering high-quality work to demanding deadlines.
• Displays confidence, professionalism and integrity, remaining composed under pressure while motivating others and contributing positively to the continued success of the Banking & Finance practice.

Firm Profile

Across more than 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organisation by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com

Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to building an inclusive culture here at Dentons where our people can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. As well as being the right thing to do, it makes good business sense too. A richness of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives helps us best serve our clients and the communities in which we operate. You can find out more about inclusion and diversity at Dentons here: Inclusion and Diversity

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from everyone including of any age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, neurotype, disability, or with parental or caring responsibilities. We are also “Happy to Talk Flexible Working” and welcome conversations about flexible working arrangements.

Dentons is a Disability Confident employer. Candidates with a disability may choose to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme. We will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. Where application volumes are high, we may offer interviews to those who best meet the minimum criteria, consistent with our approach for all candidates.

During the application process, all applicants have the opportunity to tell us about any adjustments or support they require so they are able to perform at their best. Any information you share with us during the application process is treated in confidence.