At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Surety team to handle high-value finance agreements and client support.
- Company: Mills & Reeve, a top UK law firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, extensive benefits, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with flexible working arrangements and strong career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a market-leading team and build valuable client relationships.
- Qualifications: 8+ PQE in finance or project finance; surety experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Mills & Reeve are offering an experienced transactional finance lawyer the opportunity to join our market leading Surety team.
We're excited to offer an opportunity for a senior transactional finance lawyer to join our well-established, market-leading Surety team. Our team is led jointly by Lucy Collins and Justin Hennessey who together have over 50 years' experience working in this sector. We act for global insurance companies providing high-value guarantee and on-demand bond facilities to their customers – supporting them both domestically and overseas.
You will work on those facility agreements; recourse arrangements; guarantee/on demand bond wordings; security documentation; intercreditor arrangements; risk participation and sharing arrangements. Experience with LMA documentation is important. We provide a full service to our surety clients and you will also co-ordinate with our colleagues providing client support in customer distress/ restructuring scenarios and when claims are made on guarantees and on-demand bonds issued by our clients. We believe this approach produces better rounded lawyers whilst adding variety to the role.
Our practice is founded on our technical excellence, commerciality and long-standing personal relationships in the market. Spending time with clients, getting to know them and understanding their needs is integral to the role. We will introduce and help nurture those relationships. Based in our London office.
You will be 8+ PQE having gained experience in the surety, banking, finance and/ or project finance sector. Whilst some experience in the surety sector would be beneficial it is by no means a pre-requisite as support and training will be provided by the team and you will find your background will provide an excellent grounding. The role offers an excellent opportunity to challenge yourself and progress your career with a high-performing and market-leading team - with a realistic opportunity to progress to partnership for the right candidate.
The Role Requires Someone Who:
- has a commercial approach to legal problem solving and an ability to assess risk
- has the ability to build relationships with clients, potential clients and multipliers
- possesses excellent interpersonal and team skills, including ability to work with others
- has excellent written English skills
- has the ability to work under pressure
- is dedicated to providing outstanding client service
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
As you'd expect, we offer a competitive salary and a wide range of benefits.
If we offer you a role, we will conduct comprehensive pre-employment screening. This screening will include, but is not limited to, a basic DBS, verification of your right to work, a three year employment history and a self-declaration to assess your character and suitability for the role. Full details of our pre-screening employment process are available upon request.
Mills & Reeve is centred on achieving more for clients, their businesses and the wider communities we serve. Our clients and their industries benefit from our knowledge and learning, and receive consistent experiences with no surprises. We tell them what they need to know when they need to know it. We build personal relationships, with advice individually tailored to individual need. And if clients need things we don’t offer, we draw on our network to give recommendations.
Our 1,450 plus people and over 850 lawyers share one vision – achieving more for clients. By joining Mills & Reeve, you'll have the chance to build your skills and experience within a firm that's not only ranked in the top 50 UK law firms, but also one that truly values their people. We're also ranked in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list, and have been awarded Platinum Investors in People. Our mantra is “Achieve more. Together.”, which we feel embodies our purpose and is more than just a catchphrase!
Our values are the principles that help us fulfil our purpose. Our people shaped them and live them every day:
- We're ambitious - We aim high, we embrace new ideas and we're passionate about our work
- We're open - We communicate openly and honestly to build trust, and we do what's right
- We care - We're committed to each other, our clients, our communities and the planet
- We collaborate - We're easy to work with, we offer help willingly and we get things done – together
Everyone at Mills & Reeve brings a unique perspective and ideas to the team and we do everything we can to help each person to thrive. We're committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment, are happy to consider flexible working arrangements, and want to achieve the right balance for both our people and the firm. We encourage everyone to ask if they feel they need any workplace adjustments, and will do our best to support with these.
Principal Associate - Surety in London employer: Mills & Reeve
Mills & Reeve is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, our market-leading Surety team provides opportunities for professional development and the potential for partnership, all while fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and open communication. Our recognition as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work and our Platinum Investors in People status reflect our dedication to achieving more together with our talented workforce.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Associate - Surety in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to folks on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with yours. This will help you show them you're not just a fit for the role, but for the team too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it relates to the Surety sector. Highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to build client relationships – these are key for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Associate - Surety in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Associate role. Highlight your relevant experience in transactional finance and any exposure to the surety sector. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Showcase Your Skills:Emphasise your excellent written English skills and your ability to build relationships. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you've successfully navigated client interactions or complex legal problems. This is your chance to shine!
Be Concise and Clear:Keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and ensure that your key achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for our team.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as possible through our website. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mills & Reeve
✨Know Your Surety Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of surety, banking, and finance law. Familiarise yourself with LMA documentation and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role. This will show that you're not just interested in the position but also understand the nuances of the sector.
✨Build Rapport
Since building relationships is key in this role, practice your interpersonal skills before the interview. Think of ways to connect with the interviewers by discussing shared interests or experiences. This will help you come across as personable and relatable, which is crucial for client interactions.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled legal problems in the past. Highlight your commercial approach to legal issues and your ability to assess risk. This will demonstrate that you can think critically and provide valuable insights, which is exactly what they’re looking for.
✨Show Your Commitment to Client Service
Be ready to discuss how you've gone above and beyond for clients in previous roles. Share specific instances where your dedication made a difference. This will resonate well with Mills & Reeve's focus on outstanding client service and their values of caring and collaboration.
