Energy & Natural Resources Finance Associate Attorney

Location: Chicago, IL
Salary: $235,000–$365,000

Direct Counsel is seeking an Energy & Natural Resources Finance Associate Attorney to join a leading global law firm's Energy & Natural Resources Industry Group in Chicago. This opportunity is ideal for a mid-level associate with 3–5 years of experience in sophisticated financing transactions, including commercial lending, trade finance, securitizations, receivables and supplier financings, and other secured and unsecured financing matters.

The successful candidate will work on complex domestic and cross-border transactions while taking meaningful responsibility for transaction management, client service, and the supervision of junior attorneys and paralegals.

• Represent borrowers, lenders, financial institutions, and other clients in sophisticated financing transactions.

• Draft, review, and negotiate documentation for large syndicated financing facilities.

• Handle commercial lending, trade finance, securitization, receivables financing, supplier financing, and other secured and unsecured financing transactions.

• Support domestic and cross-border financing transactions from initial structuring through closing.

• Analyze transaction structures and identify and address legal and commercial risks.

• Coordinate with clients, opposing counsel, financial institutions, and other transaction participants.

• Manage transaction workstreams and ensure matters progress efficiently toward closing.

• Supervise and manage the work of junior associates and paralegals.

• Work collaboratively with attorneys across the firm's finance and industry practices.

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships while providing practical, business-oriented legal advice.

• J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.

• 3–5 years of experience handling sophisticated finance transactions.

• Extensive drafting experience involving large, syndicated financing facilities.

• Experience with commercial lending, trade finance, securitizations, receivables or supplier financings, and/or other secured and unsecured financing transactions.

• Experience with domestic and cross-border financing transactions.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and supervise junior associates and paralegals.

• Experience working with clients in the commodities industry is a plus, but not required.

• Excellent legal drafting, writing, oral communication, and organizational skills.

• Strong leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal abilities.

• Intellectual curiosity, commitment to professional development, and sound judgment.

• Active Illinois Bar admission or eligibility for admission through reciprocity required.

• Competitive base salary of $235,000–$365,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

• 401(k) retirement plan.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.

• Life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness insurance.

• Paid family leave, sick time, and vacation.

• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources.

• College savings and education assistance programs.

• Transportation benefits.

• Backup childcare and pet insurance.

• Excess liability insurance.

• Opportunity to work on sophisticated domestic and cross-border financing transactions across a broad range of industries, with meaningful responsibility for clients, transactions, and junior team members.