Associate/Senior Associate in London

You will be between 2 years' and 7 years' PQE and be energised by sophisticated and high‑value matters, while taking ownership of key client relationships and making an entrepreneurial impact in developing the business with the partners. This is an exceptional opportunity for a mid-level associate to join a distinctive team that advises leading Tier 1 and Tier 2 financial institutions, asset managers, hedge funds, market infrastructure providers and corporates on complex and cross‑border derivatives transactions and broader financial markets projects. The team also works closely with a strong client base active in tokenisation and DLT initiatives, as well as emerging digital asset exchanges, custodians and traders developing innovative digital asset products.

The role offers substantial exposure to sophisticated and high‑profile matters and the chance to work closely with experienced partners on technically challenging and market‑leading transactions and projects in London and across global markets. We can offer therefore a unique platform for an ambitious lawyer seeking greater client contact and access to cutting‑edge and industry‑defining work. The practice continues to enhance its market presence and strengthen its relationships with regulators, government bodies, key policymakers and all major industry trade associations, including ISDA, FIA, EMTA, ISLA, ICMA, GFMA, IA and AFME. The role will be based in our London office but with some travel to our other offices from time to time as you collaborate and service our wide client base. We can provide an excellent platform for success where you can collaborate with colleagues globally and define the impact you make.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Support on OTC and securitised derivatives, structured note/warrant/certificate programmes (on and off-balance sheet with SPVs, consolidated/non-consolidated) with the whole range of asset class underlying, as well as bonds, loans and trade receivables, including OTC credit-linked/CDS-based products.
• Drafting and negotiating a wide range of trading and derivatives transactions based on complex documentation using or adapting ISDAs, GMRAs, GMSLAs, ETD and prime brokerage agreements.
• Regulatory developments including EMIR, MiFID II and BMR.
• Digital projects, commodities and carbon or business‑critical market disruption issues and close‑outs.
• Deal‑contingent FX, interest rate and commodities hedging in the context of M&A transactions or finance‑linked hedging for project or commodities financings.
• Support on sharia‑compliant derivatives and structured products (eg deposit‑linked certificates) with Middle East teams.
• Digital projects with banks, financial market infrastructure and technology corporates for tokenisation and DLT solutions for new custody, settlement and collateral management of securities, including in the funds space for tokenised money mark funds as collateral.
• Assisting key Tier 1 and 2 institutions on developing products for digital asset underlyings, offering new digital asset margin loans and securities financing/prime services products and digital asset collateral management documentation.
• Digital asset exchanges, market‑makers, hedge funds and digital asset traders on new digital asset securities financing and derivatives products, new digital asset futures contracts with intra‑day margining features and new digital assets conversion/transformation needs as well as integrating AI assistance and other AI use cases.
• Collaborate with DCM and financial regulatory teams for establishing digital bond platforms for key banks and custodians and working on natively digital or tokenised securities in both primary and secondary markets for efficient settlement, allocation, distribution or post‑trade workflows.
• Assisting commodities teams and core corporate clients on carbon product documentation and new transactions with voluntary emissions reductions purchase agreements and ISDA voluntary carbon credit definitions with novel carbon asset swaps.
• Support on commodities teams expanding to gas, power, energy and EV metals trading areas with EFET and other documentation.
• Assisting key private capital investors, multi‑strategy hedge funds, market makers, high frequency quant funds and proprietary traders with trading needs and key private capital transactions.

About you

We pride ourselves on having a collaborative environment and are looking for approachable but confident lawyers with strong potential. While we do not set upper or lower limits of PQE for any of our vacancies, candidates with at least 2 - 7 years’ PQE are likely to have the right level of knowledge and experience needed for this role. You will be highly ambitious and enthusiastic with a desire to progress your own career. You will possess excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail, alongside a real focus on teamwork. The ideal candidate will:

• Be a solicitor qualified in England & Wales or a Commonwealth jurisdiction.
• Have a strong academic background.
• Be an experienced Derivatives and Structured Products lawyer, whether for the sell‑side or buy‑side, used to a wide range of OTC and securitised transactions.
• Be able to display excellent technical legal drafting skills.
• Be commercially astute and stay current on key legal and business developments.
• Be confident managing multiple transactions and priorities, working to sometimes conflicting timescales in a fast‑paced and challenging environment.
• Be keen to get involved in building strong client relationships and business development.
• Be able to lead, supervise and mentor more junior members of the team.
• Comply with professional standards and all relevant regulatory obligations.
• Comply with the firm's systems, policies and procedures in all matters, including compliance, financial systems and time recording.
• Have excellent skills in communication, client relations, team working and project management.
• Strive to deliver solutions of the highest quality, able to think strategically and creatively.
• Have the ability to interface at all levels and build strong relationships internally and externally.

About Us

We’re a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross‑border projects, critical transactions and high‑stakes disputes. At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one‑size‑fits‑all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify. We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre‑engagement screening checks prior to your first day. At DLA Piper, we aim to make meaningful progress and build an inclusive culture where anyone affected by disability, neurodiversity or a long‑term health condition has an equitable and accessible chance of success. If you think you may need adjustments or additional support to enable you to participate in our recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team and we will be happy to support you.

Agile Working

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

Pre‑Engagement Screening

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre‑engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability, and references from previous employers.

Our hiring approach

Our hiring approach enables us to learn about the professional and person you are, and gives you the opportunity to learn about us. Your recruitment experience can differ depending on the type of role you are interviewing for. You will always meet your direct Line Manager for your role, as well as peers and close collaborators for the position. For some of our roles we may also use assessment tools, practical exercises, and panel presentations. Your Recruitment Business Partner will inform you of the recruitment process at the start of any recruitment process, but please let us know if you have any questions prior to making an application.

We’re redefining what an international law firm can be. With a unique global network and an unparalleled range of expertise, this is where you’ll work on the cases that shape the world and will define your career. Staying in touch with like‑minded people is important to us. Our Talent Community provides unique access to our firm so you can discover why we are a different kind of law firm. We pride ourselves on the extraordinary impact we make beyond the borders of traditional law. That’s only possible because of the skills our business professionals bring and the environment we create to let them thrive. See where your skills could take you.