Counsel, Finance - Milan

Practice Group / Department: Banking Leadership - Milan Job Description Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm with more than 3,000 lawyers advising clients across locations in the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. We provide a full scope of legal services to the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions. Our vision is to be a world class business, profitable, ambitious, cooperative and considerate, supporting our clients and people through our global business principles of Quality, Unity and Integrity. With over 7,000 employees worldwide, our culture is the thread that connects us. Our strategy and culture are closed connected – defined by shared ambition, global collaboration and a one-team mindset. We believe pioneering work happens when people are empowered to think beyond boundaries, explore new opportunities and grow through diverse experiences. Alongside the right skills and experience, we are looking for people who are innovative, commercially minded, and motivated by the impact of the work they do – ready to share in our ambition and help shape what comes next. Because while individuals can do well, together we achieve something extraordinary.

The Role

We are seeking an Italian-qualified Counsel to join our Banking & Finance team in Milan. The successful candidate will work on a varied portfolio of domestic and cross-border financings for financial institutions, private debt providers, sponsors, investment vehicles, large corporates and SMEs. The role offers substantial responsibility across the full lifecycle of transactions, from structuring and due diligence through drafting, negotiation, signing and closing. The Associate will collaborate with colleagues in Milan, Rome and other offices and will have regular contact with clients and counterparties. Exposure to related M&A and private equity matters will be advantageous, particularly where acquisitions and investments involve complex financing arrangements.

Key Responsibilities

Advise on domestic and cross-border acquisition finance, leveraged finance, private credit, corporate lending, refinancing and real estate finance transactions. Draft, review and negotiate facility agreements, intercreditor arrangements, security documents, bond documentation, corporate approvals and other transaction documents. Support the structuring and execution of senior, unitranche, subordinated and mezzanine financings, including syndicated and take-and-hold transactions. Manage due diligence, conditions precedent, signing and closing processes, coordinating effectively with clients, local counsel and other advisers. Provide clear, practical and commercially focused advice to lenders, borrowers, sponsors and investment vehicles. Work collaboratively across practice groups and offices on multi-jurisdictional matters and contribute to know-how, business development and client relationship initiatives. Support and supervise more junior lawyers as appropriate, while taking ownership of agreed workstreams and transaction timetables.

Key Skills and Experience

Qualification to practise law in Italy and relevant post-qualification experience gained in the Banking & Finance team of a leading Italian or international law firm. Strong experience of acquisition and leveraged finance transactions; experience of private credit, corporate lending, refinancing, real estate finance or bond financings would also be valuable. Experience acting for banks, private debt funds, sponsors, investment vehicles, corporates or SMEs on domestic and cross-border matters. Sound technical knowledge of Italian financing and security documentation, together with the ability to identify issues and propose practical solutions. Excellent drafting, negotiation, project management and analytical skills, with close attention to detail. Commercial judgement, responsiveness and the confidence to communicate effectively with clients, counterparties and colleagues. Fluency in Italian and English, both written and spoken. A collaborative approach, strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced transactional environment.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

To attract the best people, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work, have a sense of belonging, and realize their full career potential. Our new enabled work model allows our people to have more flexibility in the way they choose to work from both the office and a remote location, while continuing to deliver the highest standards of service.

We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies and provide access to programmes and services aimed at nurturing our people’s health and overall wellbeing. Find more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion here. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams. We strive to create an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any tailored adjustments or accommodations, please let us know here.

Norton Rose Fulbright provides a full scope of legal services to the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions. The global law firm has more than 3,000 lawyers advising clients across locations in the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. With its global business principles of quality, unity and integrity, Norton Rose Fulbright is recognized for its client service in key industries, including financial institutions; energy, infrastructure and resources; technology; transport; life sciences and healthcare; and consumer markets.