Finance Associate Attorney – Leveraged Finance (4th–5th Year)

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is a global Am Law 50 full-service law firm with over 1,200 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide, advising clients on high-stakes litigation, complex transactions, and cutting-edge regulatory matters across key industries—including energy, real estate and development, financial services, healthcare, and technology. The firm is known for its collaborative culture.

About the role

Sheppard is seeking a 4th–5th year associate to join the nationally recognized Leveraged Finance and Private Equity Finance team within the Finance Practice Group. This position is open to candidates in New York, Washington, D.C., or Chicago. Exceptional candidates may be considered for other firm locations.

The Leveraged Finance and Private Equity Finance team represents private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, corporate borrowers, and debt providers in a broad range of financing transactions. The team advises clients throughout the private equity investment lifecycle, including acquisition financings, growth financings, dividend recapitalizations, refinancings, and exits. The team is known for efficient execution, deep market knowledge, and practical, business-oriented counsel.

Responsibilities

• Represent private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in borrower-side debt financing transactions, including acquisition financings and dividend recapitalizations.
• Work with deal terms, documentation conventions, and industry practices related to acquisition financing across market segments, including bilateral deals, club deals, bank loans, direct lending, and broadly syndicated loans.
• Draft, negotiate, and structure definitive loan documents, including commitment letters, credit agreements, intercreditor agreements, seller notes, legal opinions, guaranty and security documents, and other ancillary debt financing documentation.
• Independently manage transaction workstreams, coordinate closings, and serve as a day-to-day contact for clients and deal teams across multiple financing transactions.
• Collaborate with Corporate/M&A and other practice groups on acquisition financing transactions, including M&A diligence and negotiations related to the financing provisions of purchase agreements.

Candidates with experience primarily representing lenders are encouraged to apply, particularly those interested in developing a sponsor-focused practice.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• 4–5 years of relevant leveraged finance or acquisition finance experience.
• Strong academic credentials and excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, and written communication skills.
• Must be admitted to and a member in good standing of the bar in the jurisdiction of the office to which they apply.

Resume, cover letter, and law school transcript are required to apply.

Pay

The annual salary range for this position is $310,000–$365,000.