Associate / Attorney - Structured Finance

Watts & Associates Recruitment; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 260,000 - 435,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Health benefits

Wellbeing resources

Pro bono opportunities

Job summary

Watts & Associates Recruitment, on behalf of a highly regarded Am Law 20 global full-service law firm, seeks a Structured Finance Associate to join its Chicago, IL office. The role focuses on securitisations, asset-backed financings and complex capital-markets transactions for financial institutions, issuers, sponsors and investors.

You will work closely with partners and senior lawyers, take ownership of substantive matters and gain exposure to high-value work, cross-practice collaboration and

Qualifications

• Approximately 3–7 years of structured finance, securitisation or asset-backed finance experience.
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex finance documents.
• Strong understanding of transaction structures and risk allocation.
• Admission to the Illinois Bar or eligibility to obtain admission promptly.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate transaction and financing documents.
• Support securitisations and asset-backed lending transactions.
• Review asset pools, diligence materials and transaction structures.
• Advise on warehouse facilities and term take-out transactions.
• Coordinate closing conditions and transaction deliverables.
• Work with issuers, underwriters, lenders, investors and servicers.
• Coordinate tax, regulatory, bankruptcy and securities-law input.
• Manage transaction timelines and multidisciplinary workstreams.
• Contribute to structuring analysis and practical risk solutions.

Skills

Structured finance

Drafting and negotiating

Analytical skills

Client-facing skills

Multi-transaction management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Illinois Bar admission or eligibility

Job description

Structured Finance Associate | Chicago, IL | 3–7 Years' Experience | $260,000–$435,000 Base + Benefits & Bonuses | Am Law 20

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 20 global full-service law firm seeking a Structured Finance Associate to join its Chicago, IL office.

This opportunity offers securitisations, asset-backed financings and complex capital-markets transactions for financial institutions, issuers, sponsors, investors and other market participants within a nationally recognised structured and asset-backed finance practice. The successful attorney will work closely with partners and senior lawyers, take ownership of substantive matters and gain exposure to high-value work, important clients and cross-practice collaboration.

Company Highlights

• Am Law 20 global platform with leading finance, corporate, private-equity and litigation practices
• Sophisticated work for financial institutions, sponsors, public companies and market-leading businesses
• Recognised strength in structured and asset-backed finance and complementary corporate, regulatory or litigation disciplines
• Established teams advising financial institutions, issuers, sponsors, investors and other market participants on complex, high-value matters
• Career-stage development programmes for junior, mid-level and senior associates
• Formal mentoring, individual career planning and professional coaching
• Strong focus on commercial awareness, business development and advancement
• Collaborative teams that encourage lawyers to take ownership of their careers
• Comprehensive benefits, wellbeing resources and meaningful pro bono opportunities

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Complex securitisation and asset-backed finance matters
• Exposure to sophisticated financial products and capital structures
• Meaningful ownership of drafting, diligence and closing workstreams
• Direct collaboration with partners, clients and market counterparties
• Cross-practice work across finance, tax, regulatory and restructuring
• Deep technical and commercial development
• A strong platform for progression in a specialised finance practice

The Role

The successful attorney will support and lead key components of structured and asset-backed finance matters, including:

• Draft and negotiate transaction and financing documents
• Support securitisations and asset-backed lending transactions
• Review asset pools, diligence materials and transaction structures
• Advise on warehouse facilities and term take-out transactions
• Coordinate closing conditions and transaction deliverables
• Work with issuers, underwriters, lenders, investors and servicers
• Coordinate tax, regulatory, bankruptcy and securities-law input
• Manage transaction timelines and multidisciplinary workstreams
• Contribute to structuring analysis and practical risk solutions

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

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking a structured finance associate with:

• Approximately 3–7 years of structured finance, securitisation or asset-backed finance experience
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex finance documents
• Strong understanding of transaction structures and risk allocation
• Excellent analytical, drafting and organisational skills
• Ability to manage multiple sophisticated transactions and deadlines
• Strong communication and client-facing skills
• Excellent academic credentials and sophisticated law-firm experience
• Admission to the Illinois Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly

Experience with CMBS, ABS, warehouse facilities or other securitised products is advantageous.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $260,000–$435,000, depending on class year, experience, location, qualifications and other relevant factors.

The firm also offers bonus eligibility, comprehensive health and insurance benefits, retirement support, paid time off, professional-development resources, wellbeing programmes and pro bono opportunities.

Structured Finance Associate, Structured And Asset-Backed Finance, Chicago, IL, Am Law 20, Attorney Jobs, StructuredFinance, AssetBackedFinance, Securitization, Law Firm Associate, Legal Recruiting