Job Description | Associate, Aviation Finance

Department: Aviation Finance

Location: London, Permanent

We are seeking talented and driven Associates with up to 5 years’ post-qualification experience to join our globally recognised Aviation Finance team in London. This is an exceptional opportunity to work at the heart of the firm’s market-leading aviation practice, advising on some of the most sophisticated and high-value transactions in the sector.

The Team

Our Aviation Finance team sits at the centre of the firm’s global aviation offering, with core hubs in London, New York and Dubai. We are widely recognised as the world’s leading legal team in this space, advising on the full spectrum of aircraft transactions - from commercial aircraft and business jets to engines and helicopters. Our clients include the world’s largest airlines, leasing companies, financial institutions and investors, and we are regularly instructed on complex, cross-border deals involving cutting-edge financing structures and major fleet acquisitions.

What sets us apart is the scale and sophistication of our work. Associates are immersed in live transactions from day one, supporting on new aircraft deliveries, sale and leasebacks, and financings. You’ll work closely with senior lawyers on negotiations, manage documentation, and help coordinate closings across multiple time zones. You’ll also gain exposure to the commercial drivers behind aviation deals and build relationships with clients who are shaping the future of global air travel.

What makes our practice truly unique is that it forms part of a fully integrated global aviation group, covering the entire spectrum of aviation law - from finance and leasing to regulation, disputes, tax, liability and commercial matters. This breadth gives our lawyers a 360-degree view of the industry and enables us to deliver seamless, strategic aviation-specific advice across jurisdictions and disciplines.

The Role

You will support on a wide range of transactional, finance and leasing matters with our aviation clients, including commercial airlines and business jets. You will play a key role in advising on a wide range of cross-border aircraft finance and leasing transactions, including:

< >Operating and finance leases, JOLCOs, PDP financings, and sale and leasebacksDebt financing transactionsPortfolio acquisitions and disposalsRestructurings, novations, and repossessionsExport credit and tax-driven structuresYou will be expected to take ownership of workstreams, lead on drafting and negotiation of transaction documents, and manage client relationships with increasing autonomy depending on experience. There may also be opportunities to support on contentious matters, including high-value aviation disputes such as lease enforcement and commercial litigation. You will also contribute to business development initiatives and knowledge sharing within the team.

What We’re Looking For

Up to 5 years’ PQE with strong experience in aviation finance or a closely related asset finance practice are preferred but experience in other areas of finance or related disciplines such as corporate will be considered.

Demonstrated ability to lead on drafting and negotiation of key documents.

Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to client service and business development

Strong academic background and excellent communication skills.

A collaborative mindset and willingness to mentor trainees and junior team members.

Qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales or another relevant jurisdiction

Why Join Us

Our Aviation Finance team offers an exceptional platform for ambitious lawyers to thrive. As part of the firm’s fully integrated global aviation practice, you’ll be immersed in the aviation sector in a way that few other finance teams can offer. This unique positioning gives our associates a deeper understanding of the commercial and regulatory context in which our clients operate - enhancing the quality and relevance of the advice we provide.

You’ll work alongside leading partners and senior lawyers on headline transactions, with direct access to clients and the opportunity to take on meaningful responsibility from day one. We offer a collaborative, high-performance environment where associates are supported to grow - professionally, commercially, and personally. With opportunities for international secondments, cross-border deal experience, and a clear path for progression, this is a role that will challenge and reward in equal measure.

The Firm

When you work at Clyde & Co, you join a team of 500 partners, 2,400 lawyers, 3,200 legal professionals and 5,500 people in nearly 70 offices and associated offices worldwide. Our values are the principles that guide the decisions we make, unite us in our endeavours and strengthen our delivery, for both our clients and our firm. We work as one, excel with clients, celebrate difference and act boldly. We are committed to operating in a responsible way by progressing towards a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities and clients it serves. We are devoted to providing an environment in which everyone can realise their potential, using its legal and professional skills to support its communities. We do this through pro bono work, volunteering and charitable partnerships, and minimising the impact it has on the environment, including through our commitment to the SBTi Net-Zero standard and the setting of ambitious emissions reduction targets.

Our Commitment

Clyde & Co is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. Our values encourage us to support fairness, celebrate diversity and prohibit all forms of discrimination in the workplace to allow everyone to excel at work. Therefore, we welcome and encourage all applications from suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background or identity. Learn more about our interview process.

A Note on Privacy

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If you are submitting a candidate as a Recruitment Agency Partner, it is an essential requirement and your responsibility to ensure that candidates applying to Clyde & Co are aware of this privacy notice.

This is the job description as constituted at present; however, Clyde & Co reserves the right to reasonably amend it in accordance with the changing needs of the business.