Banking & Finance Associate (1–4 years PQE)

Location: Leeds

A leading international law firm is seeking an Associate (1–4 years’ PQE) to join its national Banking & Finance team in Leeds. This is an excellent opportunity to work on high-quality, complex domestic and cross-border transactions within a highly regarded and well-resourced practice.

The Opportunity

The successful candidate will join a collaborative and non-hierarchical banking team advising a broad range of clients, including UK and international financial institutions, private equity sponsors, funds and corporates. The work is varied, intellectually challenging and frequently involves acting opposite Magic Circle and large US firms.

Associates are encouraged to develop a broad skill set, take responsibility early, and contribute to both transactional and non-transactional aspects of practice, including business development and knowledge sharing.

The Team

The Banking & Finance practice operates nationally and has a strong reputation for the breadth and quality of its work. The team advises on some of the most significant transactions in the market and benefits from an extensive domestic and international network of specialists.

The practice covers:

Corporate and Leveraged Finance

Real Estate Finance

Project and Infrastructure

Finance Debt Capital Markets

Lawyers work closely with colleagues across Corporate, Tax, Restructuring, Private Equity, Real Estate, Construction and Regulatory teams, both in the UK and internationally.

Areas of Focus

Corporate & Leveraged Finance

Advising private equity sponsors, corporate borrowers, banks and private capital providers on leveraged acquisitions, M&A, refinancings, asset-based lending, group reorganisations and capital markets transactions.

Real Estate Finance

Acting for domestic and international banks, alternative lenders and corporate borrowers on major bilateral, syndicated and structured real estate finance transactions, including the development of new products.

Project & Infrastructure Finance

Advising sponsors, developers and lenders on UK and international projects across transport, social infrastructure, renewables and emerging asset classes, throughout the full project lifecycle.

Role Responsibilities

Advising on a wide range of banking and finance transactions across multiple sub-sectors

Working closely with private equity sponsors, corporates, banks and funds

Collaborating across practice areas and jurisdictions

Participating in business development, marketing initiatives and client relationship management

Contributing to training, knowledge management and wider team initiatives

Candidate Profile

1–4 years’ PQE in banking and finance

Strong technical ability and a willingness to work across a range of finance disciplines

Commercial, proactive and client-focused

Comfortable working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment Interested in business development and long-term practice growth

Benefits & Culture

The firm offers a competitive remuneration package alongside a broad range of benefits focused on professional development, wellbeing and long-term career progression. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements are supported, subject to role requirements.

The firm is strongly committed to diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity, fostering a culture where individuals are supported to thrive and reach their full potential.

Please contact Kim Wilkes at Think Legal Recruitment for further details – kim@thinklegalrecruitment.com