Lending & Finance Associate

Gould & Ratner LLP; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Hybrid in-office/remote role

Healthcare (medical, vision, dental)

Job summary

Gould & Ratner LLP in Chicago seeks a mid-level lending and finance Associate with 3–7 years of experience to join its Corporate Practice. The role focuses on representing lenders and borrowers in secured and unsecured loans, drafting and negotiating credit agreements, and managing transactions from term sheet through closing.

Candidates must be licensed in Illinois or Colorado (or eligible via comity) and enjoy a collaborative, growth-focused environment with significant client interaction and

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of commercial lending and finance experience.
• Experience drafting and negotiating credit agreements, promissory notes, security agreements, guaranties, pledge agreements.
• Knowledge of asset-based and cash-flow lending and loan facilities; syndications a plus.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate loan documents and ancillary agreements.
• Conduct due diligence and manage closing checklists.
• Coordinate with lenders, borrowers, and internal teams; provide client interaction and mentorship.

Skills

Commercial lending

Loan documentation

Credit agreements

Negotiation

Bar admission

Tools

UCC searches

Job description

Gould & Ratner LLP is seeking a mid-level lending and finance Associate with 3 – 7 years of experience to join its Corporate Practice. The lawyers in our Financial Services Industry Practice assist our banking and other financial services clients across the spectrum of complex lending and commercial finance transactions, including representing banks, other lenders, and borrowers in a variety of secured, mezzanine, and unsecured commercial loans, including asset-based, revolving and term loan facilities.

The successful candidate will work closely with partners on all aspects of loan and financing transactions for sophisticated clients of all sizes and across industries, including drafting and negotiating loan and security documents, drafting and negotiating ancillary documents and agreements, conducting due diligence, and managing transactions through closing. This role offers direct client interaction, significant responsibility, mentorship, and business development experience. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney seeking a positive career trajectory with a collaborative team at a full-service, mid-sized law firm.

More information and highlights about our Corporate Practice can be found here - https://www.gouldratner.com/service-area/corporate

• 3 – 7 years of commercial lending and finance experience, representing lenders and/or borrowers in secured and unsecured commercial loan transactions across a range of industries.
• Experience drafting and negotiating credit agreements, promissory notes, security agreements, guaranties, pledge agreements, and related loan documents.
• Working knowledge of asset-based and cash-flow lending and revolving and term loan facilities, subordination and intercreditor arrangements. The ideal candidate will also have exposure to loan participations and syndications, multi-lender transactions, and co-lender arrangements.
• Ability to manage transactions from term sheet through closing, including closing checklists, due diligence and UCC/lien search review, perfection matters, and post-closing deliverables.
• Although not required, experience with private lenders and other non-institutional lenders, venture debt or convertible debt transactions, or assisting with legal opinions in finance transactions is a plus.
• Strong writing, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written), and an ability to work collaboratively with internal and external clients at all levels.
• Being a true “self-starter,” and having strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously while working both independently and as part of a team.
• Candidates must be currently licensed in Illinois or Colorado, or licensed in another state with a UBE score that qualifies in Illinois or Colorado for comity, be eligible to waive in, or be willing to sit for an upcoming IL or CO bar exam (open to relocation candidates that meet these requirements).

• Comprehensive benefit package and competitive salary - more info can be found here https://www.gouldratner.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-Salary-Range-Chart.pdf
• Emphasis on professional & business development.
• Low turnover, collegial and collaborative environment.
• Healthcare (medical, vision, dental), life and long-term disability insurance.
• Competitive compensation, benefits package including 401k and profit sharing.
• Paid primary and secondary caregiver leave.
• Generous vacation, personal, & sick time allowance.
• Pre-tax commuter benefits and wellness programs (e.g., in-office gym and massages; 24/7 tele-medicine).
• Hybrid in-office/remote role. Gould & Ratner’s current in-office policy requires attorneys to be in the office 10 days a month.