Careers

About Ashurst

Ashurst is a leading progressive global law firm with a rich history spanning more than 200 years. We are proud of our history and are future-focused, having expanded into new technologies through our NewLaw division, Ashurst Advance, and our consulting arm. Our in-depth understanding of our clients and commitment to providing excellent standards of service have seen us become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments in all areas of commercial law. To find out more please visit www.ashurst.com.

Team overview

We are looking for someone to join our top tier debt capital markets and infrastructure practices. This is an opportunity to work with our sector experts from the UK and around the globe, advising sponsors, issuers, funders and financial advisers on funding infrastructure assets through the debt capital markets, with a particular focus on multi-debt financing platforms and institutional privately placed debt.

You will be part of Ashurst's leading debt capital markets practice which provides expert advice on the full range of debt products and transactions across the credit spectrum from high-yield through to investment grade. We have extensive experience advising issuers and underwriters across all areas of debt capital markets, including medium-term notes, Eurobonds, private placements, liability management, project bonds, ESG/green bonds and digital bonds.

Within the DCM team, you will focus predominantly on secured corporate infrastructure financing. Our infrastructure and energy finance teams are one of the most experienced in Europe and the UK, consistently ranked as Tier 1 in the main legal directories such as Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. Our infrastructure team are highly active in the market and as a result we understand the issues facing the underlying asset in the sector and are known for our ability to anticipate issues, facilitate smooth and rapid implementation, and negotiate to a tight timeframe on behalf of our clients.

The infrastructure finance practice is sector-agnostic - recent financing which we have acted on include financing for roads, rail, airports, regulated utilities, renewables and energy transition, covering the life cycle of infrastructure finance from construction through to long-term operations.

Job overview

We are looking for a junior to mid-level associate with two to five years' experience in infrastructure finance; specifically, within the debt capital markets.

Typical transaction responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with term sheets and debt structures;
• Assisting with drafting and negotiating typical bond documents for a public bond issue (including subscription agreements, trust deeds, paying agency agreement, prospectuses), note purchase agreements for institutional debt, common terms agreements, multi-source intercreditor agreements and ancillary transaction documentation;
• Assisting and supervising due diligence exercises;
• Playing a leading role in transaction management.

Essential skills and experience

• Experience of advising on capital markets transactions at a major law firm
• Experience of advising on whole business securitisations / multi-debt financing platforms preferred but not essential
• Experience of drafting complex documents
• Good organisational skills and experience in transaction management
• Excellent academic track record
• Excellent client relationship skills and experience of business development
• Confidence in conducting commercial negotiations with counterparties
• A collegiate team-player who works effectively with colleagues at all levels

Recent work

• Our team has advised on the whole business securitisation platform for The AA Group since it was established in 2013, which includes investment grade bond issues under an EMTN programme, banking facilities and hedging arrangements.
• Advised Dalmore, Equitix, Innisfree and Siemens as owners of Cross London Trains Limited in relation to the £1.6 billion multi-debt platform for Thameslink rolling stock.
• Advised the lenders on the project bond financing for Corelink Rail and the subsequent refinancing in the institutional debt market.
• Advised Connect Plus on the £5 billion M25 road widening PPP project and the £950 million M25 public bond refinancing.
• Advised CDPQ in relation to the whole business securitisation of the Lightsource global solar business.
• Advised the lead arrangers and the PP institutional investors on the £1.8 billion Staple "Midco" financing for the disposal of National Grid's (Cadent Gas) UK gas distribution business.
• Advised Antin Infrastructure Partners - Advised on a €980 million English law platform financing for Hippocrates Holdings, a nationwide Italian pharmacy group which included four loan facilities and notes issued to institutional investors and listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange.
• Advised Allianz in relation to the Holdco note acquisition financing provided to Sixth Street to support its acquisition of a minority interest in EniPower in Italy.
• Advised Assured Guaranty as guarantor of £125 million of index linked bonds issued in respect of the University of Leicester Student Accommodation project.
• Advised the SIS consortium on the issuance of a €518 million project bond to finance the concession of the A3 motorway in Italy.
• Advised PPL Corporation - Advised PPL Corporation on the financing aspects of its £7.8 billion sale of Western Power Distribution to National Grid

Career advancement

An established Associate Career Path Framework is in place clearly defining expectations and outlining opportunities for promotion.

Secondment opportunities

Opportunities often arise for associates to spend time on secondment in house with a key client of the firm. From time to time, secondment opportunities also come up within other Ashurst offices in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

Background checks

In order to comply with regulatory and client requirements, Ashurst will undertake appropriate vetting of staff. When applicants accept a job offer, Ashurst, alongside a specialist provider, will undertake professional verification and background checks. These checks are only undertaken with consent, and in accordance with our legal and regulatory obligations.

Partner Profiles

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