At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead real estate finance deals from start to finish, influencing legal strategy and negotiations.
- Company: Dynamic firm managing private debt and equity across the UK and US.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for growth, and a diverse range of work.
- Other info: Opportunity to expand your role with new products and diverse asset classes.
- Why this job: Make impactful decisions in a fast-paced environment with real influence on deal structures.
- Qualifications: 6-8 years PQE in real estate finance, ideally from a leading law firm.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
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:
- ~6–8 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
Rutherford offers an exceptional work environment for Senior Counsel in Real Estate Finance, situated in the vibrant city of London. With a focus on deal-making and a culture that values commercial acumen, employees enjoy significant autonomy and the opportunity to influence high-stakes transactions directly. The firm promotes professional growth through diverse responsibilities and the chance to expand into new areas, making it an ideal place for ambitious legal professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
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
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or recruiters, make sure to highlight your experience in managing deals and working with external counsel. We want to see how you can drive transactions and influence deal structures.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its recent deals, especially in real estate finance. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs, and don’t forget to ask insightful questions that show you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you that Senior Counsel position!
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 owning deals end-to-end. We want to see how you've driven transactions to close and set legal strategies, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Be Commercially Savvy:Since this role is all about being commercially minded, let us know how you've influenced deal structures in the past. Share specific instances where your input made a difference in negotiations.
Highlight Your Independence:We’re looking for someone who can run deals independently and manage external counsel. Make it clear in your application how you’ve successfully taken charge without needing constant oversight.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rutherford
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on real estate finance concepts, especially lender-side experiences. Be ready to discuss specific deals you've worked on and how you drove them to closure. This shows you're not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience.
✨Show Your Commercial Mindset
Prepare to demonstrate your understanding of how legal decisions impact deal structures. Think about examples where your legal strategy influenced a transaction's success. This will highlight that you're not just a legal expert but also a strategic partner in the business.
✨Panel Management Skills
Be ready to talk about your experience managing external counsel. Share instances where you took the lead in directing their work rather than just following instructions. This will show that you can own deals end-to-end and are comfortable making decisions.
✨Adaptability is Key
Since the role involves a breadth of work, think of examples where you've adapted to new challenges or expanded your remit. Whether it’s dealing with restructurings or exploring new products like securitisation, showing your flexibility will impress the interviewers.
