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- Tasks: Lead real estate finance deals from start to finish, influencing legal strategy and negotiations.
- Company: Dynamic firm managing diverse investments in private debt and equity across the UK and US.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for growth, and a chance to shape your own legal panel.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow with new products and take on diverse responsibilities.
- Why this job: Make impactful decisions on high-value deals and expand your expertise in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 6-10 PQE with strong real estate finance experience, ideally from a leading law firm.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About the job
Rutherford is mandated on a new search for a deal lawyer based in London. Our client manages private debt, hybrid capital, real estate and private equity across the UK and US. The role sits primarily within the real estate debt business, with exposure to other strategies including private equity and direct lending. Deal sizes typically range from £10m to £50m across a diverse mix of asset classes — commercial, office, leisure and more.
Responsibilities
- Own deals end-to-end — you are the decision-maker on legal, not a reviewer. You will drive transactions to close, set the legal strategy and call the shots on documentation and negotiation.
- Sit at the table commercially — working directly with originators and transactors, you will have real influence on how deals are structured, not just documented.
- Build and manage your own panel — instruct, direct and push external counsel rather than take instructions from them.
- Keep a live loan book moving — extensions, amendments, restructurings and enforcement situations handled by you, giving you a breadth of work that most law firm roles simply cannot offer.
- Grow with the platform — as new products are added (securitisation, hybrid capital, equity) there will be genuine scope to expand your remit and take on work well beyond REF.
What they are looking for
- 6–10 PQE with strong real estate finance experience, ideally lender-side from a leading Law Firm.
- Comfortable running deals independently and managing external counsel without needing day-to-day oversight.
- Commercially minded — this is a deal-focused team, not a process-driven one.
- Any exposure to mezzanine, hybrid capital or securitisation is a bonus but not essential.
Senior Counsel (Real Estate Finance) in London employer: Rutherford Search
Contact Detail:
Rutherford Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Counsel (Real Estate Finance) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the real estate finance sector. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by knowing your stuff! Research the company and its recent deals, especially in real estate finance. Be ready to discuss how you can drive transactions and influence deal structures — that’s what they want to hear!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your deal-making skills! When you get the chance, share examples of how you've successfully managed deals from start to finish. Highlight your ability to work independently and manage external counsel — that’s key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Let’s land that job together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Counsel (Real Estate Finance) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Deal-Making Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience in managing deals end-to-end. We want to see how you've driven transactions to close and influenced deal structures, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Be Commercially Minded: Since this role is all about being deal-focused, let us know how you’ve sat at the table with originators and transactors. Share specific instances where your commercial mindset made a difference in negotiations.
Highlight Your Independence: We’re looking for someone who can run deals independently and manage external counsel. Make sure to mention any experiences where you’ve taken the lead without needing day-to-day oversight.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rutherford Search
✨Know Your Deals Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the types of deals you’ll be handling. Brush up on real estate finance, especially lender-side experiences. Be ready to discuss specific transactions you've managed and how you drove them to closure.
✨Show Your Commercial Mindset
This role is all about being commercially minded, so prepare to demonstrate your understanding of deal structuring. Think about how you can influence negotiations and what strategies you would employ to ensure successful outcomes.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Skills
Since you'll be managing external counsel and driving deals independently, be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Discuss how you’ve instructed and directed external parties to achieve your goals.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions that dive deep into your legal knowledge, especially around real estate debt and related asset classes. Prepare to discuss any experience with mezzanine financing or hybrid capital, even if it’s not essential for the role.