Public Finance Associate - San Francisco

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 235,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401K program

Flexible Time Off

Job summary

Orrick’s Public Finance Group in San Francisco is seeking an associate with 2–4 years of law firm experience to join our team. The role focuses on a broad spectrum of municipal bonds, notes and other financing matters for governmental entities and nonprofits across the United States.

The ideal candidate has strong writing and communication skills, is highly motivated, and capable of working in a collaborative, high‑performing environment.

Qualifications

• Two to four years of relevant law firm experience.
• Must be a member of the Bar in a U.S. State.
• Strong transactional background and excellent writing and communication are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Join Orrick’s San Francisco office as an associate in Public Finance.
• Contribute to municipal, note and other financing transactions; assist with UCC and securities law aspects.
• Draft memoranda and client communications; collaborate with partners and clients on deal execution.

Skills

Strong writing

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bar admission (US state)

Job description

Responsibilities

Orrick’s Public Finance Group—consistently ranked the No. 1 bond counsel firm in the United States—is seeking an associate with 2–4 years of experience to join our San Francisco office.

For more than 35 years, Orrick has led the nation in total volume of financings, and has ranked first as bond and disclosure counsel for most of the past two decades. In California alone in 2025, our team was once again ranked as the No. 1 bond counsel firm, serving on transactions aggregating more than $38.25 billion—representing nearly 50% market share of all bond issuances in California.

We handle the full spectrum of financing matters for a variety of clients, including state and local governmental entities, 501(c)(3) organizations, investment banks, bond purchasers, developers and others. This includes municipal bonds, notes and other obligations, tax exempt or taxable, of every type anywhere in the U.S. or its territories, for public infrastructure and other capital improvement projects; public noncapital programs for deficit, cash flow, pension, unemployment insurance, workers compensation and similar financings; nonprofit health care, educational, cultural, low-income housing and other facilities; for-profit water, wastewater, energy, waste, multifamily housing and similar projects; Indian Tribal financings; IRS audits; SEC investigations, enforcement actions; secondary market repackagings (including tender option bonds); securitizations; public private partnerships; and bankruptcies and work‑outs.

A strong transactional background and experience in public finance transactions, the UCC and securities law is a plus, but not required as we have a robust on the job training program. The ideal candidate should be highly motivated with outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills and possess excellent writing and communication.

Qualifications

• Two to four years of relevant law firm experience.
• Candidates must be highly motivated and have superior client service skills.
• Must be a member of the Bar in a U.S. State and satisfy any requirements of the Orrick office’s jurisdiction.

Why Orrick

At our core, we value collegiality among our lawyers and strive to make our practices both professionally and personally rewarding. We'll help you to connect with peers and mentors to ensure you are integrated into our client teams. Our top‑notch training and mentoring programs, retreats and academies, and shadowing opportunities are what set us apart. If you are passionate about innovative work in a dynamic environment, you're just who we've been looking for.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is between $235,000 and $310,000.

Orrick is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive, and thoughtful total compensation package to our attorneys and staff, wherever they work. This compensation and benefits information is based on the Orrick’s estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job‑related factors that may include, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant experience or education, particular skills or expertise, geography. Other compensation may include an annual discretionary merit bonus, which would be determined by Firm and individual performance.

We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life; robust mental well‑being programs; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short‑ and long‑term disability and industry leading parental leave benefits; health savings account contributions (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, and a 401K program. This role will receive compensated time off through our Flexible Time Off program and paid holidays.

Orrick accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis, until filled.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration for employment. For attorney positions, a 'qualified applicant' is an individual who is a member of the State Bar of California, admitted in good standing, and is eligible to practice; or whose admission to the State Bar of California and eligibility to practice remains subject only to successful completion of the California Bar Examination.