Job Description
Banking Solicitor / Associate (2–6 PQE)
Salary: £90,000–£125,000 + bonus
Location: London
Hybrid working + top-tier deal exposure
Why this role?
If you’re a 2–6 PQE Banking & Finance Solicitor who wants broader deal exposure, earlier responsibility and the chance to build a genuinely commercial practice, this is a strong move.
Our client is a well-established UK law firm with a busy Banking & Finance team in London. You’ll work on high-quality transactions across corporate lending, acquisition finance and real estate finance, supported by experienced partners, strong knowledge resources and a structured development pathway.
The role
Broad banking work with real responsibility
You’ll advise lenders, sponsors and borrowers on a wide range of matters including:
- General corporate lending
- Acquisition finance
- Real estate finance (investment, development and portfolio work)
- Asset-based lending (ABL)
- Project finance
What you’ll be doing day-to-day
From the outset, you can expect hands-on involvement in:
- Drafting and negotiating facility agreements and ancillary documents
- Working with LMA documentation and broader credit agreements
- Managing transaction timetables, conditions precedent and deal deliverables
- Supporting partners on complex matters and taking ownership of discrete workstreams
- Building strong client relationships and contributing to a client-first service
The team
A national platform with strong London presence
The wider Banking & Finance group is a sizeable national team, with a strong London hub. The practice acts for a varied client base including:
- Major UK clearing banks
- Specialist lenders (including fund-based and asset-based lenders)
- Private equity houses, management teams and debt funds
- Borrowers across the UK, Europe and the US
You’ll also benefit from a firm-wide investment in technology and knowledge support, including:
- Automated drafting tools for leveraged and real estate finance transactions
- Access to senior PSL support
- A structured training programme covering technical and commercial skills
What they’re looking for
Essential
- Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)
- 2–6 years’ PQE (or equivalent experience)
- Experience in a Banking & Finance team (or a strong banking seat during training with relevant post-qualification exposure)
- Drafting and negotiation experience including facility agreements and LMA documentation
- Strong commercial judgement and confidence dealing with clients and colleagues
- Ability to manage competing deadlines and stay calm under pressure
Desirable
- Exposure to one or more of: acquisition finance, real estate finance, ABL, leveraged finance
- Experience running smaller transactions (or key workstreams) with appropriate supervision
Working arrangement & location
- London based role
- Hybrid working supported (specific split to be confirmed depending on team requirements)
Salary & benefits
Salary guidance
- £90,000–£125,000 (dependent on PQE, deal exposure and overall technical strength)
Benefits (indicative)
- Annual bonus (firm and/or individual performance dependent)
- Hybrid working and flexibility where possible
- Private medical insurance
- Enhanced pension
- Life assurance
- 25+ days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (often with the option to buy/sell)
- Structured training and mentoring (technical and soft skills)
- Clear progression opportunities within a high-performing national team
- Strong knowledge support and tools to help you work efficiently and develop faster
Interested? Let’s talk.
If you’re a 2–6 PQE Banking Solicitor and you’d like to explore this in confidence, please get in touch.
David Hawthorne-Finch Managing Director, Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Ltd (H-FTS)
Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com