Leveraged Finance Associate

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive.  Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm.  Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career.  Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary

DLA Piper is seeking a finance associate with a focus on Fund Finance and Private Credit transactions to join its Leveraged Finance subgroup. Candidates should have a minimum of four years of relevant experience in fund finance, private credit, leveraged finance, debt capital markets, and/or structured finance. Our clients are primarily lead arrangers, direct lenders, sub line lenders and NAV lenders, but we also work with borrowers, issuers and corporates. This position is open to our New York, Los Angeles, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Northern Virginia, Palo Alto, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Raleigh, San Diego, San Franciso, Seattle, Short Hills or Washington, DC offices. 

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Legal Research and Analysis: Conduct thorough legal research and analysis to support client matters, legal strategy, and decision-making.
• Legal Writing and Drafting: Prepare clear, accurate, and well-reasoned legal documents, correspondence, memoranda, and other work product.
• Client Service and Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong internal and external client relationships by delivering responsive, practical, and high-quality legal services.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with lawyers and business professionals across practices and offices to support client objectives and achieve favorable outcomes.
• Professional Judgment: Exercise sound professional judgment, identify legal and business risks, and develop practical solutions to complex issues.
• Compliance and Ethics: Ensure compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, ethical, and professional standards.
• Professional Development: Participate in ongoing training and development to enhance legal, business, leadership, and technology skills.

• Firm Citizenship and Community Engagement: Contribute to firm initiatives, professional organizations, community service activities, and pro bono programs.
• Manage and support complex domestic and cross-border corporate, finance, real estate, tax, employment, and other transactional matters from inception through closing and post-closing activities.
• Conduct legal due diligence, analyze findings, identify risks, and develop practical recommendations for clients.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and revise contracts, transaction documents, disclosure schedules, and ancillary agreements.
• Structure transactions and provide strategic advice regarding legal, regulatory, business, and operational considerations.
• Support deal execution, including managing timelines, coordinating workstreams, and facilitating communication among transaction parties.
• Participate in negotiations with clients, counterparties, lenders, investors, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate and manage transaction closings, including closing documentation, signatures, funds flow, and post-closing obligations.
• Analyze and advise on applicable regulatory requirements, governance matters, and compliance considerations affecting transactions.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary legal teams and business professionals to deliver integrated solutions that support client objectives and successful transaction outcomes.

Desired Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication abilities. Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Attention to detail. Good business and professional judgment. Excellent organizational skills. Ability to work collaboratively and independently. Conceptual thinking. Persuasive communication. Management skills.

Minimum Education

• JD
• Degree from an accredited law school.

Certifications

Admitted to practice in the state in which they are officing.

Minimum Years of Experience

• Minimum 4 years of leverage finance experience.
• Direct and applicable AmLaw 100 firm and experience.

Essential Job Expectations

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties;
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner;
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product;
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required;
• Foster positive work relationships;
• Comply with all firm policies and practices;
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed;
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment;
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.

Physical Demands
Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment-The firm's work location requirements may be modified at the firm's discretion

• Hybrid - Regular in-office presence with some flexibility for work-from-home

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Application Process: Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact [email protected].

Search Firms 

Per the terms of our agreement, all candidates must be submitted through the firm’s agency portal for consideration.  If you have an agreement with the firm, please log in to the agency portal.  If you do not have an agreement with us and would like us to consider candidates, please send a blind candidate profile to [email protected]. 

Pay Transparency 

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $310,000 - $390,000 per year depending on the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

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DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center.