Senior Associate, Real Estate Finance

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

Due to continued growth, we are seeking a Senior Associate to join our leading Band 1 Finance team based in Sydney.

Working closely with Partners Melita Cottrell and Adam Roberts as well as other leading finance Partners in Sydney and across our national practice, this is an exciting time for growth and opportunity within the group.

What you’ll do

• Advise leading domestic and international clients on a wide range of finance transactions, including acquisition finance, corporate lending and real estate finance.

• Draft, negotiate and review finance documentation such as facility agreements, security packages, guarantees, side deeds and intercreditor arrangements.

• Play a key role in complex transactions end-to-end, including structuring, due diligence, execution, and post-completion matters.

• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, building and maintaining strong relationships with lenders (including banks and private credit providers) and borrowers (including corporates, funds and private equity firms).

• Collaborate with internal teams across projects, corporate, tax, real estate, and regulatory to deliver integrated legal solutions.

• Support partners with business development initiatives, including client pitches, publications, and industry events.

• Mentor junior lawyers and contribute to a collaborative, high-performing team culture.

What you’ll bring

• 5+ years of post-admission experience

• Experience in finance transactions from a leading Australian or international firm.

• Sharp attention to detail and a practical, commercial mindset.

• An ability to manage competing deadlines and complex matters.

• Excellent communication skills and a genuine interest in collaborating with others.

• An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.

The Finance Practice

Our national finance practice acts for leading national and international banks financial firms and private credit providers, as well as major corporates, funds, sponsors and government, providing a rounded perspective and deep understanding of the market.

We have extensive experience in finance transactions at all levels and with varying transaction, security and document structures. Our practice covers secured and unsecured bilateral and syndicated lending transactions in the corporate, real estate, projects and acquisition space, debt capital markets, securitisation structured finance and asset finance. Our team regularly acts on the market leading transactions across these areas.

We also advise on the design and documentation of financial products and advise on the regulation of those products.

Some deals we are extremely proud to have had a role in are below:

• Lenders and borrowers in respect of facilities provided to various listed and non-listed property-holding funds and for landmark developments across Australia.

• Lenders and borrowers in respect of various social and affordable housing developments throughout Australia.

• Various stakeholders in respect of multiple Sydney Metro Stations and over-station developments.

• Lenders and borrowers in respect of corporate and acquisition financing platforms (including both secured and unsecured debt, and some of which include sustainability linked loans / green loans) for various ASX 100/200 companies and private companies.

What you can expect from us

• We’re a world leading international law firm with a global team of over 6,000 professionals across 26 offices. As the market leader in Australia, we are committed to high performance, collaboration, diversity and digital innovation. We are client-centred, commercially driven, and renowned for our solution-focused expertise. We will align your growth with our ambitions.

• We make your personal and professional growth our business. And as part of the team, our ambition is yours too. Wherever you are in your career: grow and help the firm grow with you.

• We will provide opportunities to learn on the job as well as a mix of learning opportunities tailored to you. Daily experiences, supportive challenges, team collaboration, mentors, and structured learning opportunities help you to expand your knowledge and reach your goals.

• We value your wellbeing, both at home and work and we place a strong emphasis on mental health. If you need support, you’ll have it and we’ll empower you to harness your personal strengths, navigate uncertainty, embrace opportunities, and effectively manage things within your control.

• For more benefits on offer such as our holistic wellbeing fund or home office allowance please click here.

• Join us to be part of a human, bold and outstanding team at Australia’s market leading law firm.

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.

Apply now with your resume and academic transcript, or contact Tamara Salem, Recruitment Manager (tamara.salem@hsfkramer.com) for a confidential discussion.

Team

Finance & RestructuringFull time

Location

Sydney

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.