Leveraged Finance and Private Equity Finance Associate Attorney

Sheppard; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheppard in Washington, DC seeks an associate for its Leveraged Finance and Private Equity Finance team focused on borrower-side debt financing for private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, including acquisition financings and dividend recapitalizations.

The associate will draft, negotiate, and structure loan documents and coordinate closings, acting as a day-to-day client contact across multiple transactions while collaborating with Corporate/M&A and other practice groups on

Qualifications

• Experience with acquisition financing deal terms and documentation conventions.
• Familiarity with market practices across bilateral, club, bank loans, direct lending, and broadly syndicated loans.

Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate, and structure definitive loan documents (commitment letters, credit agreements, intercreditor agreements, etc.).
• Coordinate closings and manage transaction workstreams.
• Serve as day-to-day contact for clients and deal teams across multiple financing transactions.
• Collaborate with Corporate/M&A and other practice groups on acquisition financing negotiations.

Skills

Lender experience

Debt financing

Acquisition financing

Negotiation

Job description

Overview

• The Leveraged Finance and Private Equity Finance team represents private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, corporate borrowers, and debt providers across a broad range of financing transactions.
• The team advises clients through the full private equity investment lifecycle, handling acquisition financings, growth financings, dividend recapitalizations, refinancings, and exits.
• The role focuses on borrower-side debt financing transactions for private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, including acquisition financings and dividend recapitalizations.
• Requires experience with acquisition financing deal terms, documentation conventions, and industry practices across market segments such as bilateral deals, club deals, bank loans, direct lending, and broadly syndicated loans.
• Work includes drafting, negotiating, and structuring definitive loan documents, including commitment letters, credit agreements, intercreditor agreements, seller notes, legal opinions, guaranty, and security documents.
• The associate will independently manage transaction workstreams, coordinate closings, and serve as a day-to-day contact for clients and deal teams across multiple financing transactions.
• The role involves collaborating with Corporate/M&A and other practice groups on acquisition financing transactions, including M&A diligence and negotiations related to purchase agreement financing provisions.
• Lender-side experience is valued, especially for candidates interested in developing a sponsor-focused practice.