About the Role
Morningstar DBRS’ European Structured Finance team is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented lawyer to join as an Assistant Vice President in London.
In this role, the successful candidate will focus on legal analysis, collaborating closely with rating analysts to assign ratings to European structured credit transactions and fund finance transactions, including SME CLOs, Private Credit CLOs, Credit Fund ABL loans, Feeder Fund debt, and Subscription Loans.
The ideal candidate will hold a law degree and have experience with structured finance and/or fund finance transactions across multiple European jurisdictions (including the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France), gained either at a law firm or as in-house counsel. They will combine strong legal and reputational risk awareness with financial literacy and commercial acumen, and be able to communicate complex legal and rating criteria clearly to both internal and external stakeholders.
Candidates should thrive in a collaborative, team-focused environment, demonstrating a strong work ethic, analytical mindset, and attention to detail. The successful candidate will also possess excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, enabling effective engagement with colleagues at all professional levels as well as external contacts, including external counsel.
Job Responsibilities
Reviewing the loan/transaction documents to be executed in the context of structured finance and fund finance debt issuances rated by DBRS on consistency with the DBRS’s methodologies
Support and advise analysts and rating committee with regards to legal aspects of the structured finance and fund finance transaction that may affect credit ratings
Communicate DBRS’s position on legal matters to issuers and relevant third parties
Engage and manage the document review process of external counsel, if appointed
Provide day-to-day legal analysis support and assistance to rating analysts and other members of the structured finance legal team by interpreting and analysing documentation
Summarise legal terms of complex structured finance and fund finance documentation (including, among others, term-sheets, prospectuses, cash management agreements) for further consideration and analysis by rating analysts and other members of the structure finance legal team; compile, organise and present summarised legal terms in a well written and concise fashion in rating committees
Provide support to analysts and other members of the structured finance legal team in the preparation and review of rating reports, and other related documentation
Perform research and analysis on various legal issues (including legal issues dealt with by newly enacted legislation) in connection with the structured finance and fund finance debt issuances rated by DBRS
Monitor legislative and case law developments and advise on changes as appropriate
Support drafting legal criteria and commentaries, contribute to the development of rating methodologies from time-to-time, as required
Represent DBRS in meetings with market participants and at industry events
Qualifications
University degree in law with strong academic credentials
5+ years of experience in European structured finance and/or fund finance, at a recognised law firm or in-house
Fluency in English with excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proactive, adaptable, and effective both independently and in collaboration with others
Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks, balancing long-term projects and urgent daily work with careful attention to detail and effective time management
Permission to live and work in the United Kingdom; this position may require occasional European travel
Nice to have
Knowledge of rating agency methodologies
Experience and understanding of multiple jurisdictions legal frameworks
Fluency in another European language/s
Knowledge of analytical programming languages (VBA, Python, etc.)
EUR 63,400.00-92,133.33
Bonus Target:
20% Annual
0.00-0.00
Bonus Target:
We expect the compensation and target bonus for this role to fall within the stated range. The specific compensation offered will depend on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and other job-related factors.
Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.
