Structured Finance Associate | Chicago, IL | 3–9 Years' Experience | $260,000–$435,000 Base + B[...]

Structured Finance Associate | Chicago, IL | 3–9 Years' Experience | $260,000–$435,000 Base + Benefits & Bonuses | Am Law 50

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 50 global full-service law firm seeking a Structured Finance Associate to join its Chicago, IL office.

This opportunity offers securitisations, asset-backed financings and complex capital-markets transactions for financial institutions, issuers, sponsors, investors and other market participants within a nationally recognised structured and asset-backed finance practice. The successful attorney will work closely with partners and senior lawyers, take ownership of substantive matters and gain exposure to high-value work, important clients and cross-practice collaboration.

Company Highlights

• Am Law 50 global platform recognised for technology, energy and infrastructure, finance and complex litigation
• International client base spanning high-growth companies, market leaders, investors and financial institutions
• Recognised strength in structured and asset-backed finance and complementary corporate, regulatory or litigation disciplines
• Established teams advising financial institutions, issuers, sponsors, investors and other market participants on complex, high-value matters
• Top-tier training through practice academies, retreats, technical programmes and shadowing opportunities
• Structured mentoring, performance feedback and individual career coaching
• Strong investment in innovation, legal technology and efficient client delivery
• Meaningful pro bono opportunities supported across practices and offices
• Collegial environment designed to make demanding work professionally and personally rewarding

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is an opportunity to join a well-established structured and asset-backed finance practice offering:

• Complex securitisation and asset-backed finance matters
• Exposure to sophisticated financial products and capital structures
• Meaningful ownership of drafting, diligence and closing workstreams
• Direct collaboration with partners, clients and market counterparties
• Cross-practice work across finance, tax, regulatory and restructuring
• Deep technical and commercial development
• A strong platform for progression in a specialised finance practice

The Role

The successful attorney will support and lead key components of structured and asset-backed finance matters, including:

• Draft and negotiate transaction and financing documents
• Support securitisations and asset-backed lending transactions
• Review asset pools, diligence materials and transaction structures
• Advise on warehouse facilities and term take-out transactions
• Coordinate closing conditions and transaction deliverables
• Work with issuers, underwriters, lenders, investors and servicers
• Coordinate tax, regulatory, bankruptcy and securities-law input
• Manage transaction timelines and multidisciplinary workstreams
• Contribute to structuring analysis and practical risk solutions

The role offers direct collaboration with partners, senior lawyers and clients, together with increasing responsibility and opportunities to take ownership of important workstreams.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking a structured finance associate with:

• Approximately 3–9 years of structured finance, securitisation or asset-backed finance experience
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex finance documents
• Strong understanding of transaction structures and risk allocation
• Excellent analytical, drafting and organisational skills
• Ability to manage multiple sophisticated transactions and deadlines
• Strong communication and client-facing skills
• Excellent academic credentials and sophisticated law-firm experience
• Admission to the Illinois Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly

Experience with CMBS, ABS, warehouse facilities or other securitised products is advantageous.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $260,000–$435,000, depending on class year, experience, location, qualifications and other relevant factors.

The firm also offers bonus eligibility, comprehensive health and insurance benefits, retirement support, paid time off, professional-development resources, wellbeing programmes and pro bono opportunities.