Job Description

We are currently recruiting for an associate/senior associate (NQ - 7 PQE) to join our Debt Finance group in Riyadh.

Department purpose

As the pre-eminent Debt Finance practice globally, we have built our reputation supporting our sponsor and lender clients in the leveraged acquisition finance and high yield space. Our team has broad product coverage, with market leading specialists advising on, amongst other things, fund finance, trade and commodities finance and pre-IPO finance.

With the recent opening of our Riyadh office, we are growing our reach to advising the world’s leading investment and commercial banks, direct lenders, alternative capital providers and investment funds as well as financial sponsors and corporate borrowers and issuers on all types of financings (including bonds, sukuk and securitisation) within the KSA.

Role purpose

We are looking for high quality applicants with strong experience in general financing transactions to join a dynamic new team in Riyadh, where the quality of the increasing pipeline of work is second to none.

Role and responsibilities

• The role involves working on a wide variety of banking products; general lending, project finance, asset finance, structured finance and securitisation, real estate and developmental finance, acquisition and leveraged finance. It may also involve supporting our Global Financial Markets department on corporate and sovereign debt issuances.
• The team also work on conventional and Islamic financings
• Drafting, reviewing and amending documentation
• Strategically advising clients in meetings, on the phone and in writing
• Managing client expectations and project delivery appropriately
• Business development – development of personal plan, assistance with and implementation of business development campaign
• Legal research

Key requirements

• Qualified lawyer: 0-3 PQE (“Associate”) and 4-7 PQE (“Senior Associate”)
• Due to current visa eligibility requirements, applications for the Associate role are limited to GCC nationals
• Strong technical knowledge of the legal framework surrounding general financing transactions.
• Outstanding academic credentials
• 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

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.