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 support for personal growth.
- 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 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 ample opportunities for professional development and progression, including a realistic pathway to partnership. Our inclusive culture, competitive benefits, and dedication to achieving more together make us a top choice for talented legal professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Associate - Surety
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the surety and finance sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Mills & Reeve and their Surety team. Understand their values and recent projects. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in the firm. Plus, it gives you a chance to ask insightful questions!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role. Focus on your problem-solving skills and ability to build client relationships, as these are key for the Principal Associate position. Keep it concise and impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Mills & Reeve. Make sure to submit your application early, as we might close the vacancy if we get enough interest!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Associate - Surety
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in transactional finance and any relevant skills. We want to see how your background aligns with the Surety team's needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Show Off Your Writing Skills:Since excellent written English skills are a must for this role, take the time to proofread your application. Clear, concise, and professional writing will help us see your attention to detail and communication abilities.
Highlight Client Relationship Experience:We value strong client relationships, so share examples of how you've built and maintained these in your previous roles. This will show us that you understand the importance of client service in our industry.
Apply Early Through Our Website:Don’t wait until the last minute! We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so make sure to submit yours through our website as soon as possible. We’re excited to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mills & Reeve
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of LMA documentation and the specifics of facility agreements. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the nuances of the Surety sector.
✨Build Rapport
Since this role involves a lot of client interaction, practice how you can build relationships during the interview. Think of examples where you've successfully connected with clients or colleagues, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Show Your Commercial Mindset
Prepare to demonstrate your commercial approach to legal problem-solving. Think of scenarios where you've assessed risk effectively and how that benefited your clients. This will highlight your ability to think strategically in a high-pressure environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of clients you'll work with, or how the firm supports professional development. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
