Principal Associate - Banking

This is a permanent role to be based in any of our Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Norwich or London offices.

What does the role involve?

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced banking and finance solicitor to join our banking team, within the Corporate & Commercial National Service Line (“NSL”).

You will work closely with David Varnham who is a banking partner based in Birmingham but will work with all of our team of banking partners and your responsibilities will include:

• Advising banks, lenders, fund managers and other corporate and institutional clients (both borrowers and lenders) on all aspects of finance and security issues.  Sectors covered will include leveraged finance, corporate lending and borrowing, real estate finance, Government finance, bonds and capital markets and asset based lending.

• Support work for the corporate team on funding issues in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions work, as well as work for the commercial and real estate departments on funding issues in M&A work, portfolio property re-finances and more.

• Drafting and preparation of various documents required within the transaction processes.

• Being actively involved in assisting with marketing to new and existing clients and responsible for developing and sustaining relationships directly with clients.

Our client base is varied and consists of clearing banks including RBS, HSBC and Barclays, debt funds including AgFe, Homes England, international banks including Wells Fargo and asset based lenders such as PNC Business Credit, together with other corporate and institutional clients.  An important growth area for the team will be working with international banks operating out of London (including large US and Chinese banks) and other debt funds.

Why should I apply?

Our banking team has been ranked first for banking and finance work by both Chambers and Legal 500 for the past 10 years.  Previous transactions include a £76m portfolio refinancing involving 115 properties, a £300m bond for Cardiff University and infrastructure finance for a large residential developer in Cambridge.

We are a growing team and business development is a key feature of the team’s day to day work.  You will be given opportunities to attend marketing events and progress your own business development initiatives if you wish.

Mills & Reeve has been named for a record 17th year running as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in The Sunday Times’ annual survey, and is the only UK law firm to have achieved this.  We are also delighted to have been named by RollonFriday as one of the top law firms in the UK for the fifth year running.

We have also achieved the much sought after Two Star Accreditation and been named as one of 100 Best Mid-Sized Companies to Work For as a result of outstanding levels of staff engagement and the firm’s commitment to creating a positive working environment for all employees.

What experience is required?

You will be 8+ PQE with experience gained in a firm renowned for banking and finance work.  Your experience will be substantially or wholly gained working in the banking and finance sector.

What skills and attributes would I need?

• Good academics
• Technically strong
• Excellent written English for drafting purposes
• Good time and file management skills
• Negotiation skills
• Self-starting with common-sense and initiative
• Attention to detail
• Ability to build good working relationships with clients and potential clients
• Excellent interpersonal and the ability to project manage and lead a team on a portfolio.

Pre-employment screening

Please note that, in the event that we make an offer of employment, we will conduct pre-employment screening that includes checks relating to your professional and academic qualifications, references from previous employers, your eligibility to work in the UK and any disciplinary history recorded with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). You will also be required to complete a self-declaration to assess your character and suitability.

Disclosure and barring service check and security clearance

This post is also subject to a satisfactory response from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (to check for any previous criminal convictions and cautions) and, given the nature of the work-type, you may also be required to undergo national security vetting to SC level – the latter can be undertaken following commencement of employment.

And finally

Mills & Reeve is committed to building a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive environment in which all our people can thrive. We hire people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our firm stronger, and we have a collaborative culture that celebrates different perspectives and values respect for one another, working together, and openness and integrity. Our approach to flexible working means that we work in a way that achieves the right balance for our people, our clients and for our business.