Banking Associate (Distressed Lending & Special Situations) | 1–3 PQE

Job description

Banking Associate (Distressed Lending & Special Situations) | 1–3 PQE

London | Elite International Law Firm

Red Orca Legal Recruitment has been instructed to support the growth of a market-leading Banking team at a top-tier international law firm. This is a standout opportunity for a junior Associate to build deep expertise in distressed lending, special situations and complex structured financings, working at the very top of the market.

You’ll join a globally recognised practice advising banks, credit funds, PE sponsors and alternative lenders on high-profile, multi-jurisdictional transactions, often at critical and time-sensitive moments.

The opportunity

You can expect exposure to:

✅ Distressed lending and special situations financings

✅ Credit solutions and hybrid capital structures

✅ Complex secured lending across the capital structure

✅ Sponsor-side and lender-side work

✅ LMA and bespoke non-LMA documentation

✅ Cross-border transactions with international deal teams

The role sits within a highly regarded Corporate & Structured Lending practice, with additional exposure to fund finance, margin lending, real estate finance, asset finance and restructuring-related matters.

About you

You’ll likely have:

✅ 1–3 years’ PQE (or UK equivalent)

✅ Experience in special situations, credit solutions or hybrid capital (acting for alternative credit providers)

✅ Exposure to sponsor transactions preferred

✅ Strong commercial judgement and a practical, solutions-focused mindset

✅ A collaborative approach and confidence working on fast-paced transactions

Why this role stands out

Truly international deal exposure

Cutting-edge work, including involvement in legal tech and AI initiatives

Strong partner access, training and long-term career development

⚖ Inclusive, people-first culture with agile working

Premium work without a rigid or transactional internal environment

Interested? Contact Red Orca Legal Recruitment to find out more.

#RedOrcaLegalRecruitment #BankingAssociate #DistressedLending #SpecialSituations #StructuredFinance #LondonLawJobs #AssociateRoles #PQE1To3 #InternationalLawCareers

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

London Area

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

04-03-2026

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English