Banking Associate, PQE National Firm

The banking team at this national firm counts the major UK clearing banks among its regular clients. It also acts for a growing list of alternative debt providers and challenger lenders, so the work stays varied and reliably lender side.

The practice covers acquisition finance, real estate finance, asset based lending, restructuring and refinancing. You’ll draft and negotiate bilateral and syndicated facility agreements yourself. Instructions also come in through the firm’s corporate and real estate teams, so the pipeline doesn’t depend on the banking team alone.

At this level you’ll run transactions rather than support them. That means leading client meetings, managing deals through to completion, supervising junior lawyers on conditions precedent and security, and instructing overseas counsel.

The biggest draw is profile. The firm wants this hire to become a recognised name with Manchester’s key bankers, and it gives you the time and backing to build those relationships in your own right.

If you want to be known in the North West banking market rather than kept behind a partner’s name, this is a rare opening.