Debt Finance Associate

Debt Finance Associate

Direct Counsel is seeking a Debt Finance Associate with 3–6 years of experience to join a growing and sophisticated Debt Finance practice in Cleveland. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney looking to work on a broad range of middle-market and complex financing transactions while representing lenders, borrowers, private equity sponsors, debt funds, and financial institutions.

The ideal candidate will have substantial experience handling secured lending transactions, credit facilities, and debt finance matters from inception through closing.

Responsibilities

• Represent arrangers, agents, lenders, and borrowers in syndicated and bilateral credit facilities
• Draft, review, and negotiate:
  • Credit and loan agreements
  • Security agreements
  • Guarantees
  • Intercreditor agreements
  • Subordination agreements
  • Promissory notes
  • Fee letters
  • Commitment letters
  • Term sheets and amendments
• Advise clients on secured lending transactions and collateral matters under UCC Articles 8 and 9
• Conduct transaction due diligence, including review of organizational documents, searches, management agreements, and disclosure schedules
• Negotiate and coordinate third-party deliverables, including control agreements, bailee waivers, insurance endorsements, and related documents
• Organize and manage complex financing closings
• Collaborate with private equity sponsors, debt funds, banks, and middle-market companies on sophisticated financing transactions

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of debt finance or banking experience
• Experience representing lenders and/or borrowers in syndicated and bilateral credit facilities
• Experience with:
  • Secured term loans
  • Asset-based lending facilities
  • Cash flow credit facilities
  • Leveraged acquisition financings
  • First lien, second lien, and unsecured facilities
• Strong drafting and negotiation experience involving financing documents
• Knowledge of secured transactions and UCC Articles 8 and 9
• Experience managing transaction closings and financing due diligence
• For candidates with 4+ years of experience, familiarity with legal opinions and opinion diligence is preferred
• Active Ohio Bar admission required

Preferred Experience

• Middle-market secured lending transactions
• Venture debt financings
• Investment-grade financings
• Cross-border financings
• Project finance transactions
• Restructuring and workout matters
• First lien, second lien, and mezzanine financings across a variety of industries

Compensation & Benefits

• For Cleveland, the expected salary range is $220,000 – $250,000
• Compensation is determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic market, and other relevant factors
• Performance- and hours-based bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Hybrid work environment
• Opportunity to work on sophisticated debt finance transactions with national clients
• Significant client exposure and hands-on responsibility
• Collaborative team environment with strong mentorship and professional development opportunities

Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier law firms and fostering inclusive hiring practices.