Finance Associate - Innovation Economy & Private Capital

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins is one of the world’s leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centers globally and offer unmatched expertise and resources to help you grow from an intellectually curious self-starter into an exceptional lawyer. If you aspire to be the best, this is where you belong.

About the Practice Group

Latham’s Banking & Private Credit Practice leads the market in every major financial center worldwide. We advise a diverse range of credit providers, including banks, financial institutions, and private credit funds, as well as borrowers ranging from major public companies and sponsors to startups and growth companies. This vast scale and deep experience provide Latham with an unmatched 360-degree view of public and private markets. Always Ahead of the Market We see more deals than any other law firm, annually advising on hundreds of financings valued at hundreds of billions of dollars. Our practice, distinguished by its breadth and sophistication, covers every key product and deal type in every major market. With a track record of firsts, we consistently top global league tables and industry rankings and remain ahead of market shifts. Leveraged Finance Leader Latham’s deep understanding of the sponsor market and trend-setting capabilities uniquely position us to advise both lenders and borrowers on leveraged and acquisition financings. We navigate the complexities of syndicated and private credit markets, providing strategic advice to major players across all industries. Our pioneering work in the direct lending market enhances our ability to guide direct lenders and their borrowers through complex deals, leveraging market-leading capital markets, M&A, and restructuring experience to develop innovative structures and facilitate efficient dealmaking. Prowess in Syndicated Lending Our broad and sophistication practice covers every key market, structure, and deal type in the syndicated market. With our global footprint, we regularly top the legal advisor league tables for syndicated lending and have worked on many of the largest and most complex leveraged buyouts in multiple jurisdictions. With decades of experience guiding clients through broadly syndicated loans and asset-backed lending transactions, we are a key port of call for investment banks and borrowers alike when navigating this complex marketplace. Private Credit Pioneer Our practice, built on a foundation of innovation and experience, counts as clients the most active lenders, funds, credit platforms, and investment managers, as well as borrowers, in a wide range of transactions from the middle market to large-cap. We routinely guide sophisticated private capital providers through: First and second lien loans Unitranche loans Mezzanine loans Asset-based loans, including first-in last-out (FILO) loans Preferred equity and other junior capital transactions Our experience spans deal sizes from the middle market to complex multi-billion dollar unitranche transactions. We design and implement multi-tiered capital structures, addressing subordination, security, intercreditor issues, restructurings, equity co-investments, and tax and regulatory matters. Excellence Across Syndicated and Private Markets Clients benefit from our profound market understanding and strong relationships with key players, including leading global banks, private capital funds, financial sponsors, information sources, and other market participants. We collaborate across Latham’s global private capital platform to deliver seamless services tailored to each client’s strategy and transaction objectives. We draw on our vast network to answer niche questions, meet client needs, and make transactions work for all parties. Built for Complexity Our Banking & Private Credit Practice is built for complex, cutting-edge, and consequential deals. This vantage point allows us to anticipate market shifts and tailor solutions to specific financial goals and risk appetites, accelerating growth and unlocking shareholder value through creative and innovative financing strategies. Our team is strategically positioned to advise and address the needs of our clients in any market, drawing on a winning complement of deep product expertise, innovation, and exceptional execution capabilities.

About the Role

Latham & Watkins is seeking outstanding mid-level and senior finance associates to join our growing Innovation Economy Finance practice in the Bay Area. Our lawyers help the companies and investors shaping the next generation of technology, life sciences, AI, fintech, digital infrastructure, and other high-growth industries access capital through sophisticated and innovative financing solutions. Working closely with our market-leading Emerging Companies & Growth, Private Equity, M&A, Capital Markets, and Investment Funds practices, we advise founders, venture-backed companies, growth-stage businesses, private equity sponsors, venture capital funds, growth equity investors, private credit funds, banks, and other institutional lenders on complex financing transactions across every stage of the business lifecycle. This is a unique opportunity to build a finance practice that sits at the intersection of banking, private capital, and innovation. Representative Matters Associates will advise on a broad range of financing transactions, including: · Venture debt and growth capital facilities · Bilateral and syndicated credit facilities · Acquisition financings · Recurring revenue and cash flow-based financings · Asset-based and structured financings · Convertible and hybrid financing structures · Subscription and NAV facilities · Warehouse and other specialty finance transactions · Cross-border financing transactions · Bespoke financing solutions supporting strategic investments, acquisitions, and other transformational transactions Our practice is driven by creativity. Many of our matters involve developing financing structures for companies and investors operating in rapidly evolving industries where traditional lending models do not always fit. Associates are encouraged to think commercially, collaborate across practices, and help clients execute transactions that support growth and innovation. Meaningful Responsibility Associates are expected to: · Lead transaction execution and manage financing processes · Draft and negotiate credit agreements, commitment papers, collateral documents, and related financing documentation · Work directly with borrowers, lenders, sponsors, founders, and investment professionals · Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across corporate, tax, intellectual property, restructuring, executive compensation, and regulatory practices · Mentor junior lawyers and contribute to business development initiatives Qualifications We are seeking candidates with: · Approximately 3–7 years of experience in banking, finance, leveraged finance, private credit, venture lending, or related financing transactions · Strong experience representing borrowers, lenders, sponsors, or investors · Excellent drafting, negotiation, and project management skills · Outstanding academic credentials and communication abilities · California bar admission (or eligibility for admission) Candidates with experience in acquisition finance, private credit, venture lending, structured finance, fund finance, or other sophisticated financing transactions are encouraged to apply. Why Latham Latham offers something few firms can: a finance platform that works seamlessly with one of the world's leading private equity, emerging companies, M&A, capital markets, restructuring, and investment funds practices. Our Bay Area finance team is deeply integrated into the region's innovation ecosystem while leveraging the resources of a premier global finance practice. Associates work on cutting-edge financing transactions, collaborate with market-leading lawyers across disciplines and offices, and help develop creative capital solutions for some of the world's most innovative companies and investors. If you are looking to build a finance practice that goes beyond traditional lending and helps shape how innovative businesses are financed, we invite you to join us.

Main Contact Details

Lateral Recruiting — Finance [email protected]

Additional Information

Investing in the well-being of our lawyers and staff is among the firm’s highest priorities. Through our “LiveWell Latham” program, we offer best-in-class benefits and comprehensive resources designed to support you and your loved ones through all life’s moments — from building a family and taking care of loved ones, to managing your health and saving for the future. Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute. We periodically provide demographic data to legal publications, bar associations, civic and community organizations, and in some instances, to local, state, and federal government agencies as required by law or contract. So that the firm can provide this information accurately, we request that you consider self-identifying. Please click here to review your rights under U.S. employment laws. In accordance with Latham & Watkins policies, associates in this role must protect and maintain any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains either as part of the legal services the Firm provides to clients or for internal purposes. Los Angeles: Latham & Watkins LLP will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO). Please click the link above to review the Ordinance. San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please click the link above to review the Ordinance. Massachusetts: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. An employer that violates this law may be subject to fines and/or a private right of action for $500 in statutory damages “for each such violation,” among other things.

Pay Range

Associate Base Salary

Discretionary bonuses may be available depending on application circumstances and position.

Class of US Payroll 2026$225,000 2025$225,000 2024$235,000 2023$260,000 2022$310,000 2021$365,000 2020$390,000 2019

$420,000

2018$435,000