Associate / Attorney - Sovereign Finance

Watts & Associates Recruitment; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 225,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Parental benefits

Pro bono opportunities

Professional development

Job summary

Watts & Associates is partnering with an Am Law 100 global full‑service firm to hire a Sovereign Finance Associate in Washington, DC. The role targets junior to mid‑level attorneys handling sophisticated capital markets matters for issuers, underwriters and financial institutions.

You will draft and review registration statements and underwriting agreements, advise on SEC reporting and governance, and lead deal processes with senior lawyers.

Qualifications

• Junior-to-mid-level capital markets and securities experience.
• Experience handling public and private securities offerings.
• Strong drafting, analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and meet deadlines.
• Professional fluency in Portuguese; Spanish is required.
• Admission in DC, NY, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly.

Responsibilities

• Represent issuers, underwriters and financial institutions in public and private securities offerings.
• Draft and review registration statements, offering documents, underwriting agreements and related materials.
• Advise public companies on SEC reporting, exchange compliance, governance and disclosure matters.
• Manage deal processes, due diligence and client relationships across capital-market transactions.
• Coordinate with attorneys and professionals across related practice areas and offices.

Skills

Drafting

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Multitasking

Portuguese language

Spanish language

Job description

Sovereign Finance Associate | Washington, DC | Firm Policy | Junior to Mid-Level | $225,000–$310,000 Base + Bonus | Am Law 100

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 100 global full-service law firm seeking a Sovereign Finance Associate to join its Washington, DC platform.

This opportunity offers sophisticated public and private securities offerings and public-company matters for issuers, underwriters, public companies and financial institutions within a nationally recognised capital markets and securities practice.

The successful attorney will work closely with partners and senior attorneys, take ownership of substantive matters and gain exposure to high-value work, important clients and cross-practice collaboration.

Company Highlights

• Am Law 100 global full-service platform with sophisticated domestic and cross-border capabilities.
• Recognised practice strength across capital markets and securities and related corporate, regulatory or litigation disciplines.
• Established team advising issuers, underwriters, public companies and financial institutions on complex, high-value matters.
• Collaborative and partner-led environment offering meaningful associate responsibility.
• Structured mentoring, practical training and individual career-development support.
• Strong commitment to professional development, wellbeing, inclusion, innovation and pro bono work.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Sophisticated public and private securities offerings and public-company matters for issuers, underwriters, public companies and financial institutions.
• Meaningful ownership of substantive workstreams and increasing responsibility based on experience.
• Direct access to partners, senior attorneys and clients.
• Opportunities to deepen technical, commercial and strategic experience within a recognised capital markets and securities practice.
• A credible platform for long-term progression and advancement.

The Role

• Represent issuers, underwriters and financial institutions in public and private securities offerings.
• Draft and review registration statements, offering documents, underwriting agreements and related transaction materials.
• Advise public companies on SEC reporting, exchange compliance, corporate governance and disclosure matters.
• Manage deal processes, due diligence and client relationships across sophisticated capital-markets transactions.
• Coordinate with attorneys and professionals across related practice areas and offices.

The role offers direct collaboration with partners, senior attorneys and clients, together with increasing responsibility and opportunities to take ownership of important workstreams.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Junior-to-mid-level substantive capital markets and securities experience.
• Experience handling public and private securities offerings and public-company matters for sophisticated clients.
• Strong drafting, analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to manage multiple workstreams, meet demanding deadlines and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues.
• Strong academic credentials and experience in a sophisticated law-firm environment.
• Professional fluency in Portuguese, Spanish is required.
• Admission in DC, New York, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly, is required.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $225,000–$310,000, depending on class year, experience, location, qualifications and other relevant factors.

The firm also offers bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement and 401(k) benefits.
• Paid time off and firm holidays.
• Parental and family-care benefits.
• Professional-development and continuing legal education support.
• Wellbeing resources and pro bono opportunities.

Location and Working Arrangement

The position is available in Washington, DC.

Working arrangements are governed by the firm's current office policy and may vary by office, team, client and business requirements.

Candidates must be admitted in the relevant jurisdiction or be eligible to obtain admission within the required timeframe.