At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to advise on complex restructuring and special situations matters.
- Company: Simmons & Simmons, a dynamic global law firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, private medical insurance, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Gain exposure to high-profile cases and make a real impact in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 1-3 years’ PQE in restructuring and insolvency with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Our Restructuring & Special Situations (RSS) team sits within the wider Banking practice, which operates as a fully integrated global practice acting for banks, funds, asset managers, corporates and governments on complex cross-border transactions. The RSS team provides practical and commercial advice to clients in financially distressed situations, advising across the full lifecycle of restructuring, insolvency and special situations transactions. We advise a wide range of stakeholders, including lenders, investors (including distressed and turnaround funds), corporates, boards, insolvency officeholders and financial advisers.
Our work spans:
- Financial restructurings and workouts (including standstills, debt-for-equity swaps and schemes of arrangement)
- Distressed M&A and asset sales (including pre-pack transactions)
- Special situations and strategic investments (e.g. loan-to-own strategies, NPL portfolios)
- Formal insolvency processes, including administrations, liquidations and receiverships
- Cross-border restructurings and complex multi-stakeholder negotiations
This breadth provides associates with exposure to both transactional and advisory work across distressed and opportunistic scenarios.
We are seeking an ambitious Associate (1–3 PQE) to join our leading RSS team. This is an excellent opportunity for a junior lawyer to gain exposure to complex, high-profile restructuring and special situations mandates, working closely with partners and senior lawyers in a collaborative, international environment. Associates in the team are given early responsibility and play an integral role in transactions and advisory work.
Key responsibilities
- You will work as part of a team advising clients on a broad range of restructuring and special situations matters, including:
- Assisting on financial restructurings, workouts and liability management exercises
- Drafting and negotiating finance and restructuring documentation
- Supporting transactions involving distressed debt, special situations lending and restructuring solutions
- Advising clients on directors’ duties, insolvency risk and creditor strategies
- Conducting due diligence and analysis of capital structures, security packages and creditor positions
- Supporting multi-jurisdictional restructurings and cross-border transactions
- Liaising with clients, counterparties and other advisers in fast-paced, time-sensitive situations
- Contributing to client development and business development initiatives
Experience & attributes
- 1–3 years’ PQE gained in a leading City, international or strong regional firm
- Experience in restructuring and insolvency
- Strong exposure to finance documentation and transactional work
- Strong technical and analytical skills
- Excellent drafting and communication skills
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities
- Proactive, ambitious and keen to take on responsibility
Here at Simmons & Simmons, we ensure that everyone’s voice is heard from day one, irrespective of job title, qualification, or background. You’ll be encouraged to have an enquiring mind and share ideas that can drive the firm forward. Through innovative learning and development opportunities, you will be provided with a platform to excel, enabling you to exceed your career ambitions and do things you never thought were possible.
Key Highlights:
- Competitive compensation package, including bonuses, private medical insurance, and pension contribution.
- A global skills academy offering extensive learning opportunities for all employees.
- A hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of three days in-office, subject to role and client needs.
- Integration of traditional legal expertise with innovative Simmons & Simmons Solutions.
- Recognition as a Stonewall Top Global Employer and a Top 75 Employer for Social Mobility.
- Vibrant social and sports committees, as well as art collections featuring renowned artists.
- The introduction of a Strategic Advisory Council to drive strategic initiatives in line with our mission.
Equal opportunities
We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment, offering equal employment opportunities to all applicants irrespective of sex, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, and more. Flexible working arrangements are supported, and we strive to make our roles accessible to all. Our employee networks offer additional support, detailed in our D&I Information booklet provided during the recruitment process. We value diversity and encourage applications from those who are passionate and willing to grow with us, even if not all requirements are met. Your unique experiences and perspectives are welcomed here.
For more information or to apply, please contact our Recruitment Team or visit our career page.
Recruitment Agencies
We prioritise direct sourcing and referrals, engaging with our preferred agency partners where support is required. Unsolicited CVs submitted without the prior agreement of the recruitment team will not be deemed a valid introduction. Please contact the recruitment team if you have any questions.
Associate - Restructuring & Special Situations in London employer: Simmons & Simmons
Simmons & Simmons is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where associates are empowered to take on early responsibility and engage in high-profile restructuring and special situations mandates. With a competitive compensation package, extensive learning opportunities through a global skills academy, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees thrive in a collaborative environment that values their contributions and encourages professional growth. Located in a vibrant city, the firm offers a hybrid working model and a supportive atmosphere that prioritises employee well-being and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate - Restructuring & Special Situations in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the restructuring and insolvency space. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Associate role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Be ready to discuss recent trends in financial restructurings and special situations. Show us you’re not just a candidate, but someone who’s genuinely interested in the field and can contribute from day one.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Whether it’s drafting emails or discussing complex topics, being clear and concise is key. We want to see that you can articulate your thoughts effectively, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our dynamic team at Simmons & Simmons.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate - Restructuring & Special Situations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Associate role in Restructuring & Special Situations. Highlight your relevant experience in restructuring, insolvency, and finance documentation to show us you’re the right fit!
Show Off Your Skills:We want to see your excellent drafting and communication skills shine through. Use clear and concise language in your application to demonstrate your ability to convey complex ideas effectively.
Be Proactive:Let us know about your ambition and eagerness to take on responsibility. Share examples of how you've taken initiative in past roles or projects, especially in fast-paced environments.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our careers page! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with our dynamic team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Simmons & Simmons
✨Know Your Restructuring Basics
Make sure you brush up on the fundamentals of restructuring and insolvency. Understand key concepts like financial workouts, debt-for-equity swaps, and the roles of various stakeholders. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful discussions during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to demonstrate your analytical abilities. You might be asked to analyse a hypothetical capital structure or discuss how you would approach a distressed M&A scenario. Practising these types of questions can help you articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Since the role involves working closely with partners and senior lawyers, share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in past projects. Emphasise your ability to manage competing priorities while contributing to team goals, as this is crucial in fast-paced environments.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street, so come armed with insightful questions about their RSS team and the types of cases they handle. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the firm aligns with your career aspirations.
