Asset Finance Associate (1-3 PQE)

We are currently recruiting for an associate to join our Asset Finance group in London on a permanent basis.

Department purpose

The A&O Shearman Asset Finance team is one of the most experienced and best recognised asset finance practices in the world. We are consistently voted “Best Law Firm” and ranked in the top tier by the independent legal directories. We regularly act for the leading market players including top-tier leasing companies, airlines, financiers, shipowners, sponsors, manufacturers, export credit agencies, private insurance consortiums and governmental and international organisations. The team has advised on some of the most impactful transactions in the market.

We advise clients around the globe on portfolio purchases and sales of various asset types, mergers and acquisitions, all types of financing (including secured and unsecured facilities, revolving credit facilities, ECA-supported financings, insurance-supported financings, sustainability linked financings, pre-delivery payments (PDP) financings), operating leases, tax-based leases, long- and short-term chartering arrangements, vessel procurement and construction arrangements, terminal financings, cruise ships and luxury yachts financings, capital markets transactions (including ABS and EETC), Islamic financings (including sukuks), airport slots and receivables financings, manufacturer contracts, maintenance and technical contracts, lease novations, trade financings, as well as litigation, restructurings, repossessions, and work-outs.

A&O Shearman is a recognized leader in legal tech and innovation and offers unparalleled opportunities to integrate legal tech tools in day-to-day deal management and closely collaborate with the Firm’s dedicated innovations team.

Role and responsibilities
Supporting Senior Associate/ Counsel/ Partner in drafting, negotiating and agreeing principal documents on a transaction (for example, facility agreement, sale and purchase agreement, lease agreement etc)
Taking responsibility for drafting, reviewing and negotiating security and ancillary transaction documents (for example, fee letter, mortgage, security assignment, assignment of insurances, lease transfer agreement etc) with supervision and based on templates where appropriate
Taking responsibility for general transaction management and ensuring that key milestones are achieved including preparing and running documentation checklists, liaising with the client and all relevant stakeholders, preparing client updates, coordinating non-English law workstreams, attending calls, coordinating signing, managing filings and registrations and post-closing matters
Preparing legal opinions and conditions precedent satisfaction letters with supervision and based on templates where appropriate
Advising clients in meetings, on the phone and in writing
Legal research
Business development – working with the Asset Finance Business Development team on development of personal plan, assistance with and implementation of business development campaign
Supervision of junior team members
Collaborating with the wider Firm’s network and external legal counsel
Contributing to development of the internal know-how and data base
Key requirements
Qualified lawyer, with 1-3 years’ post qualified experience within asset finance
Strong technical knowledge of the legal framework surrounding structured and asset finance particularly in the field of shipping and offshore finance
Intellectual curiosity and versatility
Self-starter with the desire and ability to continuously acquire, build upon and share knowledge
Detail-focused and self-motivated approach
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
Excellent client relationship skills
Sound experience of operating at associate level within a complex international organisation
Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to deliver creative and pragmatic solutions and advice
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win the respect of the partner and fee-earner community, building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
Collaborative team player with the ability to develop and work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment
A person of sound judgment, able to establish a high level of credibility

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

Our approach to hybrid working seeks to combine and maximise the benefits of effective remote working with the benefits of being in the office.  Our current hybrid working arrangements require office based working for a minimum of 60% of your time (i.e. three days per week for a full time role) in accordance with our hybrid working policy.