At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team advising top financial institutions on complex derivatives transactions.
- Company: Leading law firm with a collaborative and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for global collaboration.
- Other info: Exciting career growth in a fast-paced environment with exposure to high-profile clients.
- Why this job: Make an entrepreneurial impact while working on cutting-edge digital asset projects.
- Qualifications: 2-7 years PQE in derivatives and structured products with strong legal drafting skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
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 market 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.
Skills
- 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.
Finance (Derivatives) Associate/Senior Associate employer: DLA Piper
Join a leading firm in London that offers an exceptional platform for Finance (Derivatives) Associates and Senior Associates to thrive. With a collaborative work culture, ample opportunities for professional growth, and exposure to high-profile clients and cutting-edge projects, you will be empowered to make a significant impact in the financial markets sector. The firm's commitment to innovation and strong client relationships ensures a rewarding career path in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance (Derivatives) Associate/Senior Associate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the finance and derivatives space. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss your experience with OTC and securitised derivatives. Share specific examples of how you've tackled complex transactions and what impact you've made in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere—apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Tailor your approach to highlight how your skills align with our focus on digital assets and innovative financial solutions.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and mention something specific from the interview that resonated with you. It shows you're engaged and keen!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance (Derivatives) Associate/Senior Associate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your PQE, relevant transactions, and any experience with digital assets or derivatives to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your enthusiasm for working with Tier 1 and Tier 2 institutions.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:We’re looking for someone with excellent legal drafting skills and a solid understanding of complex documentation. Be sure to include examples of your work with ISDAs, GMRAs, or any other relevant agreements in your application.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at DLA Piper
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of derivatives and structured products. Familiarise yourself with key regulations like EMIR and MiFID II, as well as the latest trends in digital assets and tokenisation. This will not only show your expertise but also your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss specific transactions you've worked on, especially those involving OTC and securitised derivatives. Be ready to explain your role in these projects and how you contributed to their success. This will help demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to handle complex matters.
✨Build Rapport
Since this role involves client relationships, practice building rapport during your interview. Engage with your interviewers, ask insightful questions about their work, and express genuine interest in their clients and projects. This will highlight your interpersonal skills and fit within their collaborative environment.
✨Be Entrepreneurial
Think about ways you can contribute to business development and client engagement. Prepare ideas on how you could help expand their client base or improve existing services. Showing that you have an entrepreneurial mindset will set you apart as a candidate who is proactive and invested in the firm's growth.
