Associate (4 to 6 years): Banking and Financial Services

Bennett Jones LLP is a top tier, full service international law firm with offices in Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, Vancouver, Montréal and New York. We are proud that Bennett Jones was ranked as a Platinum Level Best Employer in the 2023 "Best Employers in Canada" survey conducted by Kincentric. The firm has also been recognized as a Top Employer for Young People in a study conducted by Mediacorp and ranked as one of the top places to work in Canada for 23 consecutive years.

The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated associate to join the Financial Services group in our growing Montréal office. As a member of this group, you will play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive legal services to diverse and sophisticated clients engaged in complex financial transactions. In this role, you will be required to work proactively and assist in the drafting and negotiating of various credit facilities and related transactional documents, as well as advise clients on financing matters.

Essential Functions

• Advising clients on a wide range of financing transactions, including asset-based lending, acquisition financings, construction financings, infrastructure and project financings, securitisation and factoring, cross-border loans and real estate lending;
• drafting, reviewing, and negotiating various financial agreements, including credit agreements, security documents, intercreditor agreements and other related documents;
• identifying and assessing risks associated with transactions from a financing perspective and providing optimal risk mitigation remedies;
• providing strategic guidance on regulatory compliance matters related to banking, corporate finance, capital markets and other financial services area;
• assisting in structuring and executing secured and unsecured loans for limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships or trusts, as well as corporations or individuals; and
• issuing, reviewing and settling legal opinions.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be qualified to practice law in Québec and have the following credentials:

• between four (4) to six (6) years of relevant experience in private practice or solid in-house experience primarily focused on financial transactions, such as banking, project and structured finance transactions;
• excellent legal mind;
• exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities;
• fully bilingual (English and French);
• consummate team player;
• commitment to excellence; and
• strong communication and drafting skills.

The successful candidates will have the opportunity to develop their career and skills as part of a growing practice and office that fosters an entrepreneurial spirit—with freedom and flexibility—as well as ongoing support through training and mentoring to ensure a rapid professional development. Our firm offers a collegial work environment, exceptional work-life balance, competitive compensation package and robust platform for success.