Leveraged Finance/Private Credit Senior Associate

Holland & Knight LLP; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 365,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Holland & Knight LLP is seeking an Associate with 5–7 years of experience to join its national Finance & Financial Services practice in Charlotte. The ideal candidate will have significant leveraged finance experience and a strong understanding of complex debt transactions. Responsibilities include driving transactions to closing and managing client relationships.

Compensation for this role ranges from $365,000 to $420,000 per year based on qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in leveraged finance at a national NY style firm.
• Admission to the bar in FL, NY, MA, IL, GA, NC, TX preferred or eligible to transfer.
• Strong familiarity with LMEs and multi-lender syndications.

Responsibilities

• Drive transactions to closing in a fast-paced environment.
• Negotiate liability management transactions including intercreditor mechanics.
• Handle sponsor-backed acquisition financings across sectors.

Skills

Leveraged finance

Complex debt transactions

Strong drafting skills

Client relationship management

Self-starter communication

Education

JD from an ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Holland & Knight seeks an Associate (5–7 years of experience) to join its national Finance & Financial Services practice. The ideal candidate has significant leveraged finance experience representing financial institutions, private credit funds, BDCs, and non-bank lenders in complex, sponsor-backed transactions, including multi-lender/syndicated facilities, unitranche/first-out–last-out structures, senior/mezz structures. You’ll interface directly with clients and opposing counsel and take ownership to drive transactions to closing in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.

Core Responsibilities Include

• Sponsor-backed acquisition financings across sectors, including cross-border and multi-currency deals.
• Cash-flow and asset-based lending (senior, senior-stretch, superpriority revolvers).
• Multi-lender/syndicated facilities and intercreditor/subordination arrangements.
• Mezzanine and subordinated debt, preferred equity co-investments, and structured solutions.
• Liability management transactions (LMEs) — uptiers, exchange offers, drop-downs, covenant resets, amendments and waivers — including negotiation of related intercreditor mechanics.
• Amend-and-extend transactions, refinancings, and recapitalizations for sponsor portfolio companies.
• 5–7 years’ experience in leveraged finance/private credit and complex debt transactions at a national NY style firm.
• JD from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to the bar in one or more of the listed jurisdictions preferred (FL, NY, MA, IL, GA, NC, TX) or eligibility to become licensed/transfer.
• This candidate must reside in the Charlotte area at or prior to the time of hire. We believe that there is significant value in working together in person and will expect the candidate to work in the office at least three business days per week.
• Strong familiarity with LMEs, unitranche (first-out/last-out) structures, multi-lender syndications, and sponsor finance market terms.
• Strong drafting skills (credit agreements, security documents, intercreditors, commitment papers), excellent judgment, and commercial awareness.
• Big-law training and a record of handling sophisticated deals.
• Self-starter with excellent communication skills and the confidence to manage workstreams and client relationships.

This position may be filled in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami or New York. In accordance with applicable Pay Transparency Laws, the pay range for this position in these locations is $365,000 – 420,000/yr. This range may not be applicable to other locations. An individual's actual compensation will depend on the individual's qualifications and experience.