Finance Associate Attorney – Leveraged Finance (4th–5th Year)

Sheppard; New York (NY); On-site; USD 310,000 - 365,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP seeks a 4th-5th year associate for its Leveraged Finance and Private Equity Finance team within the Finance Practice Group. The position is open to candidates in New York, Washington, D.C., or Chicago with strong deal experience in sponsor-driven financing.

The ideal candidate will have JD from an accredited law school, 4–5 years of relevant leveraged or acquisition finance experience, and excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Strong drafting, negotiation, analytical and written communication skills.
• Admitted to and in good standing of the bar in the applicable office jurisdiction.

Responsibilities

• Represent private equity sponsors and portfolio companies in debt financing transactions (acquisition financings, dividend recaps).
• Understand deal terms, documentation conventions and industry practices for acquisition financing across market segments.
• Draft, negotiate and structure definitive loan documents (commitment letters, credit agreements, intercreditor agreements, security docs).
• Independently manage transaction workstreams, coordinate closings, and serve as day-to-day client contact across multiple deals.
• Collaborate with Corporate/M&A and other practice groups on financing provisions within purchase agreements.
• Encourage candidates with lenders experience to apply to develop sponsor-focused practice.

Skills

Drafting & negotiating

Analytical skills

Written communication

Client communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Job description

Sheppard is seeking a 4th-5th year associate to join our nationally recognized Leveraged Finance and Private Equity Finance team within the Finance Practice Group. This position is open to candidates in New York, Washington, D.C., or Chicago. Exceptional candidates may be considered for other firm locations.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is a global Am Law 50 full-service law firm with over 1,200 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide, advising clients on high-stakes litigation, complex transactions, and cutting-edge regulatory matters across key industries—including energy, real estate and development, financial services, healthcare, and technology. Sheppard is known for its collaborative culture.

Our Leveraged Finance and Private Equity Finance team represents private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, corporate borrowers, and debt providers in a broad range of financing transactions. We advise clients throughout the private equity investment lifecycle, including acquisition financings, growth financings, dividend recapitalizations, refinancings, and exits. Our team is known for efficient execution, deep market knowledge, and practical, business-oriented counsel.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have Experience With

• Representing private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in connection with borrower-side debt financing transactions, including acquisition financings and dividend recapitalizations.
• Exposure to deal terms, documentation conventions and industry practices related to acquisition financing across market segments, including bilateral deals, club deals, bank loans, direct lending and broadly syndicated loans.
• Drafting, negotiating, and structuring definitive loan documents, including commitment letters, credit agreements, intercreditor agreements, seller notes, legal opinions, guaranty and security documents, and other ancillary debt financing documentation.
• Independently managing transaction workstreams, coordinating closings, and serving as a day-to-day contact for clients and deal teams across multiple financing transactions.
• Collaborating with Corporate/M&A and other practice groups on acquisition financing transactions, including M&A diligence and negotiations related to the financing provisions of purchase agreements.
• Candidates with experience primarily representing lenders are encouraged to apply, particularly those interested in developing a sponsor-focused practice.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• 4-5 years of relevant leveraged finance or acquisition finance experience
• Strong academic credentials and excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, and written communication skills

Candidates must be admitted to and a member in good standing of the bar in the jurisdiction of the office to which they apply.

The annual salary range for this position is $310,000-$365,000.

Contact: For inquiries, please reach out to Katherine Milanes at [e-mail].