Associate - Banking

The Role

Our Banking Group is seeking a Junior Associate to join their team

Banking is a team within the firms broader Banking & Finance Practice which advises sponsors, borrowers, lenders, corporate entities and financial institutions on all aspects of financing transactions – from origination, negotiation and documentation to closing. The team advises on conventional, Islamic and multi-source finance and debt capital markers (including sukuk) transactions.

The Dubai team are an integrated part of the Firms Global Finance group of approximately 500 lawyers who cover the worlds key financial money centres, many of whom are regularly featured in the top tier of rankings in both Legal 500 and Chambers, and work closely with the Banking teams in MENA, London and Asia on cross-border transactions.

The Team

Baker McKenzie has been in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for over 40 years and our UAE offices form an integral part of Baker McKenzies renowned MENA practice. As with all of our offices, we have deep local roots, offering an integrated global reach to seamlessly assist clients looking to solve complex problems across borders and practice areas.

We have supported our clients on their most sensitive and challenging transactions, helping them to both optimize opportunities and mitigate risk. Our multidisciplinary team of more than 40 lawyers on the ground provides a full-service offering, advising on both onshore, UAE and offshore/free zone matters (including in the DIFC and ADGM), as well as matters of English law.

Our clients include some of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, global and regional financial institutions, private equity funds and asset managers, leading conglomerates, family offices and many of the world’s largest companies.

We advise on all aspects of domestic and cross-border banking across a broad range of industries. Our experience includes secured and unsecured asset finance; corporate, structured finance; Islamic finance; and insolvency

Key Skills and Experience Required

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate all or the majority of the following:

• A qualified lawyer with excellent academic credentials.
• Experience and training with a leading international firm.
• First rate technical skills.
• Excellent English communication skills (fluency in reading, writing, speaking).
• Significant experience on UAE transactions, knowledge of local procedures and practice across free zones.
• Arabic language is an added value.
• Saudi experience is an added value.
• Strong client service orientation - a "client first" mentality.
• Ability to develop strong relationships with clients.
• Maturity, gravitas and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to work well in both a team and individually.
• A keenness to learn.
• Respects and enjoys the diversity of backgrounds found in the firm and amongst our client base.
• Qualified candidates will have the ability to function smoothly in a global team environment with culturally diverse team members.

Why join us?

Baker McKenzie is a truly global law firm. Founded in 1949, we advise many of the worlds most dynamic and successful business organisations through our 13,200 people in 74 offices in 45 countries. Yet big does not mean impersonal. We work hard to ensure that everyone knows their role and has the support they need to perform it to the highest standard. Our culture encourages this - how we work, think and behave in a collaborative and fulfilling way.

In the Gulf region Baker McKenzie has been active for more than three decades and our practice now boasts over 100 lawyers based in our seven offices in the Middle East – Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Cairo, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, and Riyadh. As a pioneering firm, we were most notably the first to enter both the Saudi and Egyptian markets.

The firm has built established and substantial presence in the Middle East & Africa region, with all offices working in close collaboration to service clients’ needs on a range of matters, including banking and finance, project finance, Islamic finance, corporate/M&A and dispute resolution. We work closely with key local players — including governmental and regulatory entities, financial institutions, family-owned conglomerates and corporates across all industry sectors — as well with global investors and corporations establishing and consolidating their presence in the region.

Have a look at our YouTube channel to find out more about us! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNwVm6JiAPjNjYQ2lgBJcpw

To Apply

At Baker & McKenzie we welcome direct applications.

Please click on the Apply button on this advertisement to complete the application form.

For more information about this position or to discuss any adjustments you may require during the process please contact in confidence, David Roberts, Recruitment Manager, on david.roberts@bakermckenzie.com

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Please note Baker McKenzie does not accept unsolicited CVs.

Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

Baker McKenzie helps clients overcome the challenges of competing in the global economy. We solve complex legal problems across borders and practice areas. Our unique culture, developed over 65 years, enables our people to understand local markets and navigate multiple jurisdictions, working together as trusted colleagues and friends to instill confidence in our clients. This is an exciting time to join us as we invest in and further develop our Professional & Business Services organisation, providing rewarding and challenging career opportunities in all of our world-class business functions.

Baker McKenzie has a culture of diversity and inclusion in its DNA - since our beginning, the differences of our people have helped us to work fluently across borders, cultures and practices. This is intrinsic to everything we do and underpins Baker McKenzies vision to be the global law firm of choice. We understand that organisations work best when people with different backgrounds and points of view are brought together. We also know people perform at their best when they can be themselves at work. Baker McKenzie is committed to serving our clients with innovative solutions brought about by a diverse talent pool and an inclusive community.