Associate – Finance (1-3 PQE) in London

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years. As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

Our market leading securitisation and structured finance team delivers cutting edge transactions for a wide range of clients, from specialist lenders, lending platforms, high street and investment banks and building societies, credit and private equity funds, insurers and other investors. We work on all the major cash asset classes in the securitisation market, including residential mortgages of all types, secured and unsecured SME and trade receivables, secured and unsecured consumer lending, car loans and credit cards, as well as more bespoke transactions secured over portfolios of investment and development real estate receivables, and whole business/debt platform securitisations. We act on warehouse lending, public securitisations, forward flow transactions and portfolio sales and purchases, with a good balance between traditional securitisation and novel and innovative structures.

The atmosphere in the office is high performing and ambitious, but also down to earth, inclusive and supportive. We look for excellent technical lawyers who like a challenge and can also take a commercial approach, thinking problems through from the ground up and finding practical solutions to achieve the desired outcome for our clients. We collaborate regularly with colleagues in Europe, the US and further afield, as well as with other transactional teams and specialists within the London office. Lawyers at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer come from a variety of backgrounds but all have the same drive and commitment and enjoy working together to deliver outstanding client service.

Our Finance division is a social and friendly community and you will get to know people in other teams as well as our own. We have won multiple awards and act on some of the highest profile deals in the market including, in 2025, the investment by Apollo in the securitisation of Virgin Atlantic's London Heathrow landing slot portfolio, the Sizewell C infrastructure debt platform, and the acquisition of Secure Trust Bank's auto finance business by LCM Partners. We also act on transactions for some of the most regular issuers in the market (such as Lendinvest, Pepper Money, Haydock Finance) and new and fast-growing fintech clients and challenger banks, such as Tandem Bank, Cynergy Bank, Salary Finance, Tide Capital.

This year, Chambers Partners and the Legal 500 have the following feedback for our team: Great technical knowledge which enables them to propose commercial and practical client solutions. Very responsive superb support their knowledge of the market and ability to guide us through difficult times was excellent. They understand our business on a deep level and are often able to pick up on issues that we have not thought about ourselves. We were proud that a number of our associates and counsel were specifically called out by our clients in the directories. Our team members are always given the spotlight they deserve and have room and support to grow their capability and develop client relationships.

Primary objectives:

• Contribute to excellent client service and perform fee-earning work under supervision.
• Build on and develop legal and commercial knowledge in chosen practice area.
• Make an effective contribution to the firm’s work by aiming to meet and exceed target hours.
• Cultivate relationships with clients and act as a direct point of contact.

Key responsibilities:

• Depending on experience and the subject matter, support, negotiate and ultimately lead transactions (with appropriate supervision and working well with the wider team).
• Responsible for drafting discrete pieces of legal advice for clients (with appropriate supervision).
• Plan, prioritise and delegate work tasks as appropriate and update supervising partner on progress.
• Encouraged to adopt a client-facing role, providing excellent client service and prompt responses, and building direct relationships with clients.
• Support the firm and others by building effective relationships with individuals and groups in and across offices; uphold the firm’s values.
• Assist with the preparation of legal precedents, legal articles, marketing documents and presentations.
• Comply with risk requirements, firm policies and all relevant professional responsibilities and legislation.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• Qualified/admitted legal practitioner in relevant jurisdiction.
• 1-4 PQE, however we are open to considering candidates with more or less experience.
• Strong foundation legal skills, including drafting, writing, analysis, negotiation and project management.
• Familiar with law firm profitability and key drivers for financial efficiency.
• Basic understanding of the client sectors relevant to the chosen area of law.
• An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.

Competencies:

• Personal leadership: Embraces challenge and finds opportunities to develop and sustain themselves.
• Technical capability: Builds and develops legal knowledge and insight, applying it with judgement and clarity.
• Contributes to the success of others: Volunteers, assists others and contributes to positive team spirit.
• Supports the delivery of outcomes: Contributes to the smooth and effective running of matters.
• Enhances the client experience: Helps to create a positive working relationship with clients.
• Contributes to building the firm: Builds and innovates for the firm’s future.

Team: Finance & Restructuring

Working Pattern: Full time

Location: London

Contract type: Permanent

Diversity & Inclusion: We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.