Job Description
Job DescriptionDirect Counsel is seeking a Leveraged Finance/Private Credit Associate Attorney to join a national firm.
Available locations: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, New York.
Overview
The firm is seeking an associate attorney with 5–7 years of experience in leveraged finance and private credit to join its Finance & Financial Services practice group. The ideal candidate has substantial experience representing financial institutions, private credit funds, BDCs, and non-bank lenders in sophisticated, sponsor-backed transactions. This role involves significant responsibility, direct client interaction, and ownership of workstreams within a fast-paced, high-performance environment.
Key Responsibilities
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Lead and support sponsor-backed acquisition financings across various industries, including cross-border and multi-currency transactions.
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Structure and negotiate cash-flow and asset-based lending facilities (senior, senior-stretch, superpriority revolvers).
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Handle multi-lender and syndicated credit facilities, including intercreditor and subordination arrangements.
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Work on mezzanine and subordinated debt, preferred equity co-investments, and other structured financing solutions.
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Advise on liability management transactions (LMEs), including uptier exchanges, covenant resets, amendments, waivers, drop-downs, and exchange offers.
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Manage amend-and-extend transactions, refinancings, and recapitalizations for sponsor portfolio companies.
Requirements
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5–7 years of leveraged finance/private credit experience at a national, NY-style firm.
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JD from an ABA-accredited law school.
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Bar admission in one or more listed jurisdictions (FL, NY, MA, IL, GA, NC, TX) or eligibility to become licensed.
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Minimum three days per week in-office.
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Deep familiarity with LMEs, unitranche/FOLO structures, multi-lender syndications, and sponsor finance market terms.
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Strong drafting skills (credit agreements, security documents, intercreditors, commitment papers).
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Proven ability to manage complex transactions and client relationships.
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Big-law training and a track record of handling sophisticated deals.
Compensation
For the listed locations, the expected compensation range is $365,000 – $420,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Range may vary for other markets.