Restructuring Associate (2–6 PQE)

Salary: £95,000–£130,000 + bonus

Location: London

High-calibre special situations work with early responsibility

Why this role?

If you’re a 2–6 PQE restructuring or finance-focused associate who wants proper responsibility, exposure to complex, fast-moving mandates, and a clear path to progression, this is a standout opportunity.

Our client is a well-established UK law firm with a growing Financial Restructuring & Special Situations practice in London. You’ll join at a key point in the team’s evolution, working on market-facing matters and building a genuinely valuable special situations skillset.

The opportunity

High-quality mandates, broad exposure

You’ll advise a wide range of stakeholders (including sponsors, corporates, creditors and investors) on matters such as:

• Debt restructurings and lender negotiations


• Liquidity and working capital solutions


• Liability management exercises


• Covenant and collateral analysis


• Alternative funding arrangements (including ABLs, mezzanine and PIK debt)


• Distressed and opportunistic investments, acquisitions and secondary debt trades

Collaboration and visibility

This role offers close working with senior lawyers in the London team and strong collaboration across the wider national practice, including with a Capital Solutions / Special Situations offering. Expect meaningful exposure across financing, advisory and investment-driven mandates.

The team

A national platform with a supportive culture

The wider restructuring team spans restructuring advisory, transactional solutions, corporate workouts and insolvency, supporting clients across the full spectrum of situations, including:

• Solvent and insolvent business sales/exits


• Distressed M&A


• Enforcement scenarios


• Complex turnaround mandates

You’ll also gain exposure to multidisciplinary matters through close work with colleagues in Corporate and Banking & Finance.

What they’re looking for

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales


• 2–6 years’ PQE


• Experience from restructuring, insolvency, banking & finance, special situations or a related transactional practice


• Confidence working with clients and stakeholders, with strong commercial judgement


• A collaborative approach and interest in working across teams/offices

Desirable

• Exposure to distressed/stressed scenarios (or a clear motivation to build this specialism)


• London experience (helpful, not essential)

Working arrangement & location

• London office-based role


• Hybrid working available (details to be confirmed based on team needs and candidate preference)

Salary & benefits

Salary guidance

• £95,000–£130,000 (dependent on PQE, relevant restructuring/special situations exposure, and overall technical strength)

Benefits (typical for this level)

• Annual bonus (firm and/or individual performance dependent)


• Hybrid working and flexibility where possible


• Private medical insurance


• Enhanced pension


• Life assurance


• 25+ days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (often with the option to buy/sell)


• Structured training and development (technical and soft skills)


• Clear progression framework with long-term growth opportunities

Interested? Let’s talk.

If you’re a 2–6 PQE associate and this sounds like the right next step, I’d welcome a confidential conversation.

David Hawthorne-Finch Managing Director, Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Ltd (H-FTS)

Email: [email protected]