Global Finance Associate Attorney

Location: Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, Charlotte, NC

Compensation: $260,000 – $420,000 base salary (commensurate with experience)

Direct Counsel is seeking a Mid- to Senior-Level Leverage Finance Associate to join a top-tier national law firm's Global Finance practice in its Chicago office.

The ideal candidate will have at least three years of substantive finance experience, with a strong background advising bank and non-bank financial institutions in syndicated and club financings, particularly in connection with private credit sponsor-backed acquisition financings.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Representing banks, private credit funds, and other financial institutions in leveraged finance transactions
• Advising on syndicated and club credit facilities, with a focus on cash flow lending
• Working on sponsor-driven acquisition financings and other complex leveraged transactions
• Drafting and negotiating credit agreements and related finance documentation
• Collaborating with deal teams on sophisticated domestic and cross-border finance matters

Preferred Experience:

• Private credit and sponsor-backed acquisition finance experience
• Exposure to structured finance, CLOs, and/or fund finance (a plus, but not required)
• Strong large law firm training with meaningful deal responsibility

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant finance experience
• Excellent academic credentials
• Strong drafting, analytical, and communication skills
• Admission to the Illinois Bar (required)

This role offers the opportunity to work on high-end leveraged finance transactions within a collaborative, market-leading finance platform.

The firm is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.