European Counsel

Rutherford is partnering with a European private credit fund managing over $80bn in assets under management. The firm is seeking a strong transactional lawyer with deep expertise in direct lending and the broader private credit market. The role offers excellent career progression, with the potential to develop into a senior management position over time.

Responsibilities

• Act as a legal adviser and transaction counsel for European direct lending and private credit transactions.
• Provide guidance on finance and investment matters, including structuring and negotiating term sheets, mandate letters, and financing agreements.
• Summarise key terms, risks, and deviations from precedent while managing transaction execution and documentation review.
• Oversee external legal counsel on investment documentation and broader investment-related legal matters.
• Proactively identify and mitigate legal risks in transaction documentation.

Requirements

• 6-9+ PQE with experience working within a leading law firm or private credit fund
• Candidates need to have trained, qualified and practiced in a ranked Leveraged Finance or broader Banking & Finance practice
• Experience with UK-governed loan documentation commonly used by private equity sponsors, including confidentiality agreements, term sheets, mandate letters, intercreditor agreements, guarantees, and security documents. Acquisition and leveraged finance experience is essential.