Associate

Department/Division: Banking, Capital Markets
PQE: NQ - 3
Duration: Perm
Location: London
Reports to: Partner
Type of Role: Office Based/Hybrid
Reference no.: 9514

The Department

Our Capital Markets team offers fully integrated advice across the spectrum of products such as debt capital markets, securitisation, derivatives and structured finance transactions, acting for the full range of market participants, including originators, arrangers, issuers, CLO managers, conduits, investors, liquidity providers, servicers, trustees and underwriters. We frequently advise on cross-border mandates, with particular strength in emerging markets.

Our DCM team advises on commercial paper programmes, medium term note programmes, Eurobonds, equity-linked issuances, loan participation notes, private placements and sustainability-linked and green bonds. The securitisation practice is highly regarded for its expertise across auto loans, RMBS and CMBS, mortgage and trade receivables securitisations, corporate loan and trade finance structures, forward flow arrangements, whole loan portfolio acquisitions and US securitisations. Our derivatives and structured products specialists provide comprehensive support across complex financing and risk transfer structures.

We advise on all major derivatives and markets products across asset classes, including credit default swaps, equity and interest rate derivatives, currency swaps and options, repos, securities lending and total return swaps, as well as regulatory capital-driven structures. We are also a leading adviser on Significant Risk Transfer (SRT) and synthetic securitisation transactions. Complementing the practice is our Corporate Trust and Agency team, who advise trustees, security agents and other agency providers across the full range of capital markets transactions.

The Role

We now have an opportunity for a junior French law qualified Associate to join our industry-leading and growing Derivatives team in London. This opportunity follows the recent arrival of a new dual-qualified Partner (French Avocat à la Cour / English Solicitor), further strengthening the team’s cross-border derivatives capability. This is an exciting and challenging role and is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious French qualified lawyer looking to progress their career in London within a global firm. You will work on a wide range of OTC and exchange traded derivatives transactions across multiple asset classes (interest rate, FX, equity, crypto, commodities, credit) for both sell-side and buy-side clients, offering an opportunity to develop a broad skill set. The current practice is diverse – there is a routine flow of traditional derivative, securities lending and repo transactions, as well as finance linked, deal contingent trades, structured credit and equity derivatives transactions and Islamic transactions.

As is now typical, a large proportion of the work will have a regulatory component. Therefore, being flexible will be an advantage. You will work directly with some of the world's leading Banks and Financial Institutions and collaborate with experts throughout the wider firm and across Dentons' international offices. The work will be highly international and frequently involve cross-border transactions. You will be encouraged to stretch yourself as a lawyer and to take an active role in developing client relationships. You will have comprehensive legal training and will have a possibility to qualify as an English Solicitor (via the SQE). The firm also offers an excellent structured personal and career development programme.

This role would be ideal for a French qualified junior associate (up to three years’ professional experience) motivated to pursue a career in London in derivatives within a stimulating and international environment, where teamwork and technical excellence are key to success.

Skills & Personal Attributes

Technical Skills

• You will be French law qualified, with strong academic record including a Master 2-degree specialising in Banking & Finance, Financial Law or Capital Markets law. A dual academic background (e.g. business school, IEP or foreign university) would be an asset.

• Depending on your years of experience, you will have a good working knowledge of the standard industry master agreements (ISDAs, GMRAs, GMSLAs), as well as a good working understanding of netting and collateral and the regulatory framework applicable to derivatives (primarily EMIR). An ability to draft and review derivatives opinions (covering capacity & authority, and netting and collateral issues) and knowledge of MiFID II would be beneficial.

• You will have perfect command of English (written and spoken).

• You will have a strong interest in derivatives, financial markets and financial regulation, with at least one significant experience in a banking & finance practice would be an asset.

Personal Attributes

• Dedicated to exceptional client service.

• Dynamic, well-organized, detail-orientated and intellectually rigorous, with excellent drafting and synthesis/analytical skill.

• Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills.

• Autonomy, responsiveness and the ability to work under pressure on complex and technical matters.

• Excellent business development ability and demonstrates market focus.

• Strong financial and business awareness, we will expect you to be an active participant in the relevant ISDA Working Groups.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

• Demonstrates good judgment and resilience skills.

• Shows strong initiative and drive.

Firm Profile

Across more than 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organisation by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com

Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to building an inclusive culture here at Dentons where our people can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. As well as being the right thing to do, it makes good business sense too. A richness of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives helps us best serve our clients and the communities in which we operate. You can find out more about inclusion and diversity at Dentons here: Inclusion and Diversity.

Equal Opportunities

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from everyone including of any age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, neurodiversity, disability, or with parental or caring responsibilities. We also offer flexible working hours.

During the application process, all applicants have the opportunity to tell us about any adjustments or support they require so they are able to perform at their best. Any information you share with us during the application process is treated in confidence.

If you have any questions about this or the role criteria, please email recruitment.matters@dentons.com. 

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

If you are interested in applying for this position, we welcome direct applications via our careers page, but if you have any questions beforehand, please email  recruitment.matters@dentons.com. Enquiries only please – applications will not be accepted via email.

Please note that we will not accept unsolicited CVs sent to the business, nor will we accept any associated terms of business.