Banking Solicitor (0-3 PQE)
About The Role
Join one of Ireland's most prestigious banking and finance teams as a Junior Associate/Associate in their highly regarded Banking & Finance department. Working directly with the Partner and Head of Banking & Finance - a market-leading practitioner with over 25 years' experience - you'll be part of an award-winning team that consistently delivers excellence across all aspects of banking and finance law.
This is an exceptional opportunity to develop your career in banking law within a team known for its collaborative culture, outstanding client service, and market-leading expertise. Associates don't leave – they thrive and grow within the firm, benefiting from top-tier training, mentorship, and the perfect balance of challenging work and quality of life.
What Makes This Role Special
Exceptional Leadership
: Work under a department head who is not only technically brilliant but genuinely invested in team development. Known throughout the market for being "extremely practical," "very engaging," and someone who "instils confidence in both clients and lawyers," this partner creates an environment where junior lawyers flourish.
Unparalleled Culture
: Work with partners who are genuinely approachable, supportive, and invested in your development. This is a team where collaboration isn't just encouraged – it's fundamental to how they operate. The department head is described by clients as having an "affable personality that helps get deals over the line" and creates a working environment that's both demanding and nurturing.
Work-Life Balance
: Enjoy top-of-market remuneration while maintaining the lifestyle balance that's increasingly rare in legal practice.
The Team Leader
The Head of Banking & Finance is a standout figure in the Irish legal market - someone who combines exceptional technical skills with remarkable commercial acumen and genuine leadership qualities. With a background spanning business and legal studies, plus specialized qualifications in financial services law, they bring both academic rigor and practical insight to every matter.
What truly sets them apart is their reputation for being accessible and solution-focused. Clients consistently praise their ability to "break down complex issues into manageable, bite-size situations" while being "considerate of all points of view." This approach filters down through the entire team, creating an environment where learning is accelerated and confidence builds quickly.
As a regular lecturer on banking law and member of various professional committees, they're not just practicing law - they're helping shape it. For a junior lawyer, this means exposure to cutting-edge thinking and industry best practices from day one.
Key Responsibilities
Transaction Work
* Assist with real estate finance transactions, including commercial property funding and development finance
* Support on acquisition finance deals across various sectors including healthcare, hospitality, and social housing
* Draft and review facility agreements, security documentation, and ancillary banking documents
* Conduct legal due diligence and prepare transaction summaries
Client Service
* Work directly with major Irish and international banks, alternative lenders, and corporate borrowers
* Support on innovative loan origination platforms and portfolio acquisitions
* Assist with debt restructuring and refinancing mandates
* Participate in client meetings and conference calls
Professional Development
* Attend sector-specific training and banking law updates
* Contribute to legal research and precedent development
* Support business development initiatives
* Opportunity to assist with banking law education initiatives
Compensation & Benefits
* Top-of-market salary package
* Performance-related bonuses
* Comprehensive private healthcare
* Professional indemnity and life assurance
* Continuing professional development budget
* Flexible working arrangements
Career Progression
* Clear pathway to senior associate and partnership
* Mentorship from market-leading practitioners consistently ranked by legal directories
* Exposure to high-profile, complex transactions
* Regular performance reviews and development planning
* Support for professional qualifications and specializations
Working Environment
* Modern Dublin city centre offices
* Collaborative, non-hierarchical culture
* Regular team social events and firm activities
* Access to cutting-edge legal technology and resources
Recent Notable Transactions
The team regularly advises on Ireland's most significant banking and finance matters, including:
* Complex loan origination platform structures with major US and European funds
* Multi-million euro development finance facilities across multiple sectors
* High-profile hospitality sector refinancings and restructures
* Healthcare sector acquisition financing involving nationwide care facilities
* Major loan portfolio acquisitions and disposals from international institutions
* Innovative financing structures for social housing and infrastructure projects
Why This Role Stands Out
In a market where banking teams can be notoriously demanding and hierarchical, this opportunity offers something genuinely different. You'll work with a department head who has built their reputation not just on technical excellence, but on developing people and creating an environment where associates want to stay and grow.
The combination of market-leading work, exceptional mentorship, genuine work-life balance, and a collaborative culture makes this as good a banking solicitor role as you'll find anywhere in the market for someone at your level.