Structured Finance Lawyer in Exeter

We are instructed by a leading US law firm in London to recruit a 4+ PQE Structured Finance / Securitisation Associate into its expanding London practice. This is a genuine growth hire driven by sustained deal flow and increasing client demand across structured credit and securitisation mandates.

The firm has an internationally recognised structured finance platform and is consistently involved in high-profile, complex and innovative transactions across global markets. The London team plays a key role within that global offering and works seamlessly with US colleagues on cross-border matters.

The Team

The London structured finance team is partner-led and tightly structured, creating significant opportunity for associates to take on meaningful responsibility. The current London composition is:

• 3 Partners
• 2 Counsel
• 4 Managing Associates
• 3 Associates
• 12 lawyers in total

Despite being relatively lean, the team handles work at the very top end of the market. Associates are given early client exposure, substantial drafting responsibility and the opportunity to take ownership of discrete workstreams within transactions. The structure ensures visibility with partners and avoids the over-layering seen in larger teams.

The London practice is fully integrated with the firm’s US structured finance group, which is widely regarded as one of the leading securitisation practices globally. This integration results in a steady pipeline of cross-border and US-driven mandates coming through London.

The Work

The role offers exposure to a broad range of complex structured finance transactions. The team is particularly active in:

• Public and private securitisations
• CLO transactions (acting for arrangers, managers and investors)
• Warehouse and forward flow facilities
• Asset-backed lending structures
• Capital markets-driven structured products
• Cross-border structured credit transactions

The client base includes major investment banks, asset managers, private credit funds, alternative capital providers and financial institutions. The work is technical, commercially sophisticated and often involves innovative structuring solutions. Associates will be expected to engage closely with clients, manage negotiations and coordinate with overseas counsel on multi-jurisdictional deals.

This is not a siloed role. The team operates across the full lifecycle of transactions, from structuring and documentation through to execution and post-closing matters.

The Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking:

• 4+ PQE
• England & Wales qualified
• Strong securitisation / structured finance experience
• Background from Magic Circle or leading US firms

Particular interest will be shown in candidates trained at firms with strong securitisation reputations. However, the key criteria are technical strength, drafting precision and the ability to manage complex transaction documents with confidence. The successful candidate will be comfortable taking ownership of workstreams, supervising junior lawyers where appropriate and operating in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.

Package & Working Structure

Salary: Full Cravath scale
Billable Target: 1,800 hours
Hybrid Model: 3 days per week in the office

The 1,800-hour target is viewed as sustainable relative to market norms at this compensation level. The team values efficiency and high-quality output over presenteeism. Given the lean structure and growth trajectory of the London office, this role offers a clear progression pathway. Associates joining at this stage will be well positioned to benefit from the continued expansion of the practice.

This is an excellent opportunity for a 4+ PQE structured finance lawyer seeking top-of-market pay, premium work quality and genuine responsibility within an elite US platform.