Buchanan
Structured Finance Associate
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Senior Associate / Associate - Structured Finance (ABS) | International Law Firm
A leading international law firm is building a genuinely rare opportunity: a brand-new, standalone ABS practice, created from the ground up by two dedicated ABS partners. There's no CLO workload attached to this role, and no risk of being used as junior cover for a larger structured finance group.
For ABS specialists tired of being one of several associates rotated across CLO, ABL and ABS, this is worth a conversation.
Why This Role
This is a fully dedicated ABS practice, with no CLO crossover and no dilution of specialism. The team is lean and purpose-built: two partners, two associates, and one trainee meaning direct partner access from day one, rather than being buried several layers down in a large group. With no fixed headcount ceiling, this is a genuine ground-floor opportunity to help shape the practice's precedents and market positioning as it grows.
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The work spans a broad, cross-border range: consumer ABS, auto ABS, RMBS, trade receivables, and esoteric and cross-border European securitisations, with access to the firm's leading US securitisation platform. Compensation follows a US salary scale, with merit-based rather than lockstep progression, and accelerated tracks available for strong performers.
This practice sits alongside but entirely separate from the firm's established CLO and broader structured finance team. It's being built and resourced as its own standalone line, not as a feeder into CLO, with the long-term ambition of developing into a full-service structured finance platform.
Who They're Looking For
The firm is targeting candidates at 2–6 PQE, ideally England & Wales qualified, though this isn't essential for exceptional candidates. Strong ABS experience is preferred, but candidates with some ABS exposure and a genuine desire to specialise will also be considered.
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Ideal candidates are currently at a US firm, a Magic Circle or Silver Circle firm, or another strong ABS platform, and are genuinely committed to ABS as a long-term specialism rather than viewing it as a stepping stone into CLO.
Culture and Benefits
The role offers a busy but well-supported workload, particularly through autumn, with hours pitched somewhere between Magic Circle and firms like Latham. It comes with 1,950 bonus-eligible hours, a dedicated resourcing manager, and over 300 hours of training annually. Working is hybrid, with three days in the office and Wednesday as the anchor day. On the wellbeing side, there's a £500 annual allowance, a mental health platform, fertility support, and 26 weeks of paid primary parental leave.
Interested, or want to know more in complete confidence? Get in touch directly or send a CV.
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