Senior Legal Counsel in Watford

As Senior Legal Counsel, you will provide high-quality legal advice and support to DLL UK and across the wider international DLL environment. You will play a key role in enabling the business to achieve its commercial objectives while ensuring compliance with applicable legal standards and internal policies.

You will be part of a collaborative, commercially focused legal team of four (including this role). The position is based in our Watford office, with flexibility through a hybrid working model.

Your Mission

• Provide high-quality, commercially focused legal advice and subject matter expertise on complex asset finance transactions involving multinational and large corporate borrowers, and private equity-backed groups dedicated to direct/wholesale customer support.
• Lead the drafting, negotiation, and execution of a broad range of asset finance documentation, including master lease agreements, hire purchase and loan agreements, progress payment facilities, commitment letters, term sheets and security documentation.
• Advise on transaction structuring, including security and covenant packages, intercreditor considerations and change of control provisions, ensuring alignment with existing financing arrangements and broader capital structures.
• Provide English law input on multi-jurisdictional and cross-border transactions, coordinating effectively with internal stakeholders and external counsel.
• Identify and manage legal, regulatory, and documentation risk in complex transactions, ensuring adherence to internal standards and applicable law.
• Act as a trusted legal partner to the business, delivering pragmatic and solution-oriented advice in support of commercial objectives.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of legal policies, templates, processes, and tools to support the asset finance business.
• Deliver training and share legal know-how with internal stakeholders, promoting strong legal awareness across front office, credit, and risk teams.
• Proactively monitor and communicate relevant legal and regulatory developments.
• Support and mentor junior members of the legal team, contributing to their professional development and the overall capability of the function.

Skills and Capabilities Required

• You are a qualified solicitor in England & Wales, with significant post-qualification experience (typically 7+ years) gained in private practice and/or an in-house legal function.
• You have strong experience in the financial services sector, with a particular focus on asset finance (essential).
• You have experience advising on complex, high-value financing transactions, ideally involving large corporates and private equity-backed structures (highly desirable).
• You are familiar with leveraged finance concepts and LMA documentation (highly desirable).
• You have a solid understanding of key credit terms, including financial covenants, cross-default provisions, and broader capital structure considerations.
• You are commercially minded, with a strong business partnering approach and the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, pragmatic advice.
• You have excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience working closely with business, credit, and operational teams.
• You are highly organised and self-motivated, with the ability to manage multiple complex matters in parallel and deliver to demanding timelines.
• You have high levels of integrity, professionalism, and accountability, with the confidence to lead transactions and take ownership of legal matters.
• You have excellent communication skills, with clear and precise written and verbal English.

All members enjoy:

• 25 days paid annual leave (plus public holidays) based on a 35-hour working week.
• Short Term Incentive Plan based on DLL results and personal performance.
• Non-contributory pension scheme.
• Private Healthcare Scheme.
• Two working days per year volunteering for a local charity.
• Flexible hybrid working.
• Career development opportunities: online learning, member development programs.

At DLL we stimulate your health and wellness e.g., fun, health & vitality activities organised by our True Energy team.

Choose Wellbeing

At DLL, we recognize that investing in member wellbeing is essential for creating an inclusive and supportive work environment. This not only promotes personal and professional growth but also boosts productivity, engagement, and overall success.

• Supporting Members During Moments That Matter: We provide dedicated support resources to help you navigate significant events in your work, your lifestyle, and your personal moments.
• Implementing Global Wellbeing Programs: We carefully select and implement programs that enhance our member’s experience.
• Embedding Wellbeing in Everything We Do: We integrate wellbeing into all our practices and policies to ensure it is a fundamental part of our culture.

Good to know:

• The selection process may involve an assessment.
• Applications via email will not be reviewed. Please apply online via our career website.
• DLL’s referral program applies.
• For more information, please contact our Talent Acquisition Partner Natalie Gray via ukrecruitment@dllgroup.com.
• DLL appreciates the time you spend applying to our openings. We advise only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.
• Hiring subject to successful completion of a background check.
• DLL is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise Human Resources if you require accommodation in accordance with our values and all applicable legislation.