Banking and Finance Senior Associate (Business Leader) at Jackson, Etti & Edu

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice on complex financial transactions, including syndicated and bilateral lending, leveraged finance, acquisition finance, asset finance, and real estate finance.
• Actively build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring alignment with their objectives and consistently exceeding expectations.
• Deliver expert opinions on structured trade finance, including pre- and post- shipping financing, letters of credit, security over receivables, trading contracts, warehouse receipts, and related instruments.
• Interface with and represent diverse market participants such as banks, commodity trading companies, and export credit agencies.
• Collaborate with clients on large-scale projects, providing commercially expedient legal advice on financing instruments, inter-creditor arrangements, construction contracts, off-take agreements, and security packages.
• Assess and manage legal and commercial risks, contributing to solutions that meet mutual objectives.
• Advise clients on navigating Nigeria’s complex banking regulations, including compliance with Central Bank of Nigeria rules, risk management, foreign exchange policies, and fintech regulations.
• Provide insights into emerging trends in the banking and finance industry, ensuring clients stay ahead in a dynamic regulatory environment.
• Contribute to the practice’s thought leadership initiatives by publishing articles, speaking at industry events, and mentoring junior team members.
• Play a leading role in developing the team’s technical expertise and fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture.

Required Skills

• Strong understanding of financial instruments, banking operations, regulatory frameworks, and the legal landscape of the Nigerian financial market.
• Experience in drafting and negotiating complex legal agreements across diverse financial transactions.
• Ability to integrate legal advice with a clear understanding of business objectives and market dynamics.
• Proficiency in anticipating client needs and delivering practical, commercially viable solutions.
• Skilled at building trust with high-profile clients and managing expectations effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to foster long-term relationships.
• Capacity to lead project teams, mentor junior lawyers, and contribute to the overall growth of the practice.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications and Experience

• A qualified lawyer with at least 8–12 years of post-qualification experience in banking and finance law.
• Proven track record of handling complex financial transactions and regulatory matters.
• Prior experience with a top-tier law firm or financial institution is strongly preferred.