Job Description

What we will offer

If you require this document in an accessible format (e.g. large print), please contact hr.recruitment@shlegal.com or call 020 7809 2711.

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

Team Structure

Stephenson Harwood has been established in Asia since 1979. We have a leading asset and structured finance practice. Our award-winning aviation finance team is one of the largest in Asia and ranked in Chambers Asia Pacific and Asia Pacific Legal 500.

The team has a genuine in-depth knowledge and understanding of the aviation industry, which, when combined with a practical hands-on approach and high levels of legal expertise, enables us to deliver the commercial outcome our clients are looking for, effectively and cost efficiently.

Our team also leads the firm\'s global leads the firm\'s global derivatives and structured finance practice. The team has specialist knowledge of cross-product derivatives and structured products. Our lawyers advise clients, which include top-tier investment banks, funds and financial institutions, across all classes of over-the-counter derivatives, including equities, credit, currencies, interest rates and commodities.

Main Responsibilities

Working within a highly experienced and commercially astute team, you will have the opportunity to work on market-leading, high-profile deals. Candidates must be able to strive to achieve very high-quality standards and a passion for delivering excellence to clients.

This role will suit an ambitious and enthusiastic lawyer with excellent communication skills who would enjoy the challenge of a dynamic, and high performing team.

• As a junior/mid-level associate within the team, the role will involve a broad range of structured and aviation finance, general banking and business aircraft trading transactions for our clients across the region including Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
• You will be involved in drafting and reviewing of financing or leasing documentation, negotiating the terms of transaction documents, legal research, and supporting in the management of client files and relationships.
• As well as your technical rigour, the successful applicant will thrive on a busy and successful working environment. They will want to be a part of a practice that encourages participation in business development events, and who is able to build strong working relationships with clients and colleagues alike.
• The successful candidate will join a mature, ranked practice, where they can expect great work, strong supervision, high quality learning & development opportunities.

Attributes/Skills Required

The successful candidate will have the right mix of technical experience along with a collaborative and team-oriented disposition. We are keen to hear from applicants with qualifications, experience as well as key skills and attributes as follows:

• Qualified in either Singapore, England & Wales or any other common law jurisdiction
• 1 - 4 years post-qualification experience*
• Excellent academic and professional qualifications, as well as experience from within a firm with an excellent reputation in the field of Banking and Asset Finance
• General finance experience is preferred. Experience in aviation &/or derivatives is not essential.
• An intellectually curious, lateral thinker who can work independently, is highly organised, and resilient
• Accuracy and attention to detail, with demonstrable good housekeeping and file management practices
• A proven team player, exhibiting cooperation and collaboration and who enjoys building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within the firm
• Excellent numerical and communication skills with demonstrated commercial awareness
• Clear, concise and unambiguous drafting of financing and leasing documentation

Experience will include: - Negotiating the terms of transaction documents
- Responsibility for transaction management and administration, including liaison with key client contacts and local counsel
- Assisting with the day-to-day development and management of key client relationships
- Proven ability to acquire, consolidate and apply fundamental and up-to-date knowledge of the law
- Organised and with a resilience that shows an ability to handle setbacks and timeline pressures all whilst operating professionally and proactively at all times

*Post-qualification experience is assumed to commence two years after the commencement of formal training contract or equivalent.

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm\'s strategy and business needs.

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

About the Firm

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions, and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients\' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our values:

Individuality - We encourage creativity and develop talent
Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard
Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships
Straight talking - We say what we mean and do what we say

These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions.

Our vision into 2026
To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.

This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character \xe2\x80\x93 the attributes we want to see from all of our people. It also reflects the importance of remaining independent - a clear sign that we are confident in our own future. That\'s how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.

Stephenson Harwood