Akin is a global law firm with more than 900 lawyers and advisors. With 17 offices worldwide, Akin are renowned for numerous market-leading practices with strengths in complex transactions and restructurings, high-stakes litigation, and public policy and regulatory matters, as well as their unyielding pro bono commitment. Akin's London office is their third largest office and the main hub for the firm's international offices, practising at the top of its markets.
Driven by their forward-thinking leadership, Akin have built a strong culture of innovation and collaboration as well as a talented and diverse workforce. Akin has a long-standing commitment to opportunity and inclusion and believes that the various perspectives and experiences of their lawyers and professionals enable them to identify creative solutions for their clients and enrich all aspects of their firm and communities. Akin’s focus on building an inclusive work environment is present at every level.
We are seeking a talented and ambitious finance lawyer with 2 to 6 years' PQE to join our growing Finance team in London. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a dynamic and highly regarded team that sits at the heart of the firm's global efforts across Finance and broader Capital Solutions. The successful candidate will play a central role in the team’s corporate finance practice, advising on sophisticated transactions across the capital spectrum.
The role will have a primary focus on leveraged finance and liability management exercises (LME), sitting within a team that advises across the full capital spectrum, including direct lending and special situations transactions, fund finance, esoteric and structured financings, international and domestic syndicated loans, debt and capital markets work, and the finance aspects of distressed investments and restructurings.
Our clients include credit funds, hedge funds, special situations funds, portfolio companies, private equity sponsors, and other financial institutions, as well as other sophisticated investors and borrowers.
At this level, you will be expected to take a leading role in the management of complex leveraged finance transactions and liability management exercises from inception to completion. You will be responsible for driving deal execution, developing and maintaining client relationships, and supervising and mentoring junior members of the team. We offer an environment where lawyers are given significant responsibility and genuine ownership of matters, supported by a collaborative, high-performing team.
What We're Looking For
We are particularly interested in candidates with experience at a leading US firm, Magic Circle, or Silver Circle firm. You should have substantial prior exposure to leveraged finance transactions and/or liability management exercises and be enthusiastic about deepening your expertise in these areas while contributing to the team's broader finance practice. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong technical capabilities in leveraged finance, with experience of senior secured, unitranche, and/or high-yield structures.
- Familiarity with liability management exercises, including uptier transactions, drop-down financings, and other creditor-on-creditor dynamics.
- The ability to manage transactions with a high degree of independence, including responsibility for structuring, negotiation, and execution.
- Experience of, or a demonstrable appetite for, supervising and developing junior lawyers.
- Commercial judgment and the ability to understand the needs of complex investor clients.
- A proactive, collaborative approach to deal execution and client relationship development.
- A commitment to delivering high-quality advice in a fast-moving, client-focused environment.
About the Team
Akin's London Finance team currently comprises six partners, one senior counsel, three counsel, ten associates, and a trainee. We are recognised for advising on some of the market's most innovative and complex transactions. Our multidisciplinary team is at the forefront of:
- Restructuring and distressed finance, including liability management exercises, creditor-side work, and the finance aspects of distressed investments and restructurings.
- Stressed and distressed financing, and finding innovative solutions to clients’ financing needs.
- Capital solutions, encompassing direct lending, special situations, and opportunistic credit.
- Leveraged and acquisition finance, including sponsor-backed transactions.
- Complex structuring and structured finance, including CMBS, project finance, and other asset-backed or capital markets-linked structures.
- Fund-level finance, including subscription, NAV, and hybrid facilities. This role represents a genuine opportunity to grow into a senior leadership position within the team.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld's employment practices actively promote equal opportunities throughout the Firm and its employees are selected and recruited by merit in relation to the job to be performed, without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity,religion or belief.
Associate (Leveraged Finance & Liability Management) in London employer: Akin
Akin is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to professional development and a collaborative culture, employees are empowered to thrive while working on high-stakes matters for leading global funds. The firm's focus on innovation and diversity not only enriches the workplace but also enhances the quality of service provided to clients, making it a rewarding place for legal professionals to grow their careers.
