Leveraged Finance/Private Credit Senior Associate

Holland & Knight LLP; New York (NY); On-site; USD 365,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Holland & Knight LLP is seeking an Associate to join its Finance & Financial Services practice in New York. Candidates should have 5–7 years of experience in leveraged finance and complex debt transactions, along with strong drafting and communication skills.

The selected candidate will manage various financing transactions and actively interface with clients in a fast-paced environment, ensuring robust legal support throughout the deal process.

The position offers a competitive salary range of $365,000 to $420,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years’ experience in leveraged finance/private credit and complex debt transactions.
• Strong familiarity with LMEs and multi-lender syndications.
• Experience with sponsor-backed transactions.

Responsibilities

• Manage sponsor-backed acquisition financings across sectors, including complex transactions.
• Negotiate liability management transactions and intercreditor arrangements.
• Work closely with clients and opposing counsel to drive transactions to closing.

Skills

Leveraged finance experience

Client interface skills

Strong drafting skills

Excellent communication skills

Education

JD from an ABA-accredited law school

Admission to the bar in FL, NY, MA, IL, GA, NC, TX preferred

Job description

Overview

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

• 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 New York 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.

Location & Compensation

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 this location 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.