At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead real estate finance deals from start to finish, influencing legal strategy and negotiations.
- Company: Dynamic firm managing diverse investments across the UK and US.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to shape your own panel.
- Other info: Opportunity to expand your role with new products and strategies.
- Why this job: Make impactful decisions in a fast-paced environment with varied asset classes.
- 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) 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 collaborative culture, employees enjoy significant autonomy in managing transactions and shaping legal strategies. The firm prioritises professional growth, providing opportunities to expand your expertise across various financial products while working alongside industry leaders in a dynamic and supportive atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Counsel (Real Estate Finance)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Senior Counsel gig.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your real estate finance experience and how you've successfully driven deals to close in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to firms or companies you’re interested in and express your interest in working with them. You never know what opportunities might arise!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team in the real estate finance space.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Counsel (Real Estate Finance)
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 or documentation.
Highlight Your Management Experience:We’re looking for someone who can manage their own panel of external counsel. If you’ve instructed and directed external lawyers before, make sure to mention that in your application!
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 ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rutherford
✨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.
✨Panel Management Skills
Since you'll be building and managing your own panel, come prepared with examples of how you've instructed and directed external counsel in the past. Highlight your ability to lead without needing constant oversight.
✨Be Ready for a Broad Scope of Work
The role offers a variety of tasks beyond just real estate finance. Familiarise yourself with related areas like mezzanine financing or hybrid capital. Show enthusiasm for expanding your remit and taking on new challenges as they arise.
