Finance Paralegal (Structured Finance)

Leeds, England, United Kingdom

7/30/2025

Description

UK Job Description

To assist and support the Senior Sigma Law Specialist and Sigma Lawyer on a wide range of the structured finance/derivatives matters — with a particular focus on derivatives, GMRA, ISDA, CSA, OTC products, and fund finance — as well as on ad hoc legal tasks across the team.

The Firm

Reed Smith is a global law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 30 offices throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.

Operating as one global partnership, we represent leading international businesses from FTSE 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises; advising clients on cross border transactions, international commercial disputes and regulation. We specialise in industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, energy and natural resources, entertainment and media, shipping and real estate.

We all share a common culture, with core values supporting the firm’s commitment to add value, achieve excellence, and promote professional development. London is our largest office with approximately 700 people, including over 350 fee earners across the full range of commercial practice areas. Consistent with the firm’s strategy, the office has grown significantly over the past five years. Key to this growth has been our ability to successfully integrate new hires into our business and give them a platform to flourish. We place a huge significance on listening to our people and incorporating their ideas wherever possible.

Responsibilities

• Supporting Associates and Partners across the Structured Finance team on the negotiation and drafting of derivatives (including OTC), repurchase agreements (under GMRA), and collateral arrangements (including under CSA and ISDA documentation).
• Assisting in the negotiation and execution of ISDA Master Agreements, Credit Support Annexes (CSAs), GMRAs, and related legal documentation.
• Conducting legal research and preparing briefing notes or summaries on derivatives regulation, collateral requirements, and counterparty risk.
• Reviewing legal documents for accuracy, consistency, and completeness.
• Collaborating with the legal engineering team to support the implementation of legal technology in managing ISDA/CSA documentation and structured finance workflows.
• Identifying and implementing improvements in legal documentation processes and operational efficiency.
• Carrying out ad hoc administrative and legal support tasks as needed.
• Contributing to a collaborative and high-performing team culture, while proactively developing your skills and legal knowledge.
• Note the role may include an opportunity to undertake a secondment in a client’s office for a period of 6–9 months.
  
  

Performance Improvement

• Identify and propose enhancements to processes relating to derivatives documentation and automation.
• Collaborate with your manager and team to implement quality, speed, and efficiency improvements.
• View errors and feedback as opportunities for continuous learning and improvement.
  
  

Key Skills, Attributes And Experience

• Minimum of 12 months’ experience as a paralegal or legal analyst within a Banking & Finance or Derivatives team.
• Essential: Familiarity with ISDA, CSA, GMRA, and OTC derivatives documentation.
• Preferred: Experience working with financial institutions, funds, or asset managers on derivatives or structured finance transactions.
• Desirable: Understanding of legal issues related to netting, collateral, and regulatory frameworks such as EMIR and SFTR.
• Proven ability to build credibility with internal stakeholders and work effectively in a fast-paced, professional environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with excellent drafting ability.
• High attention to detail, with strong project/case management and organisational skills.
• Ability to prioritise effectively and manage multiple deadlines under pressure.
• Tech-savvy and comfortable learning new tools or legal operations platforms.
• Self-starter with a proactive approach to problem-solving and process ownership.
• A collaborative and adaptable team player.
• Reliable, accountable, and motivated by high standards.
• Eagerness to learn, improve, and contribute to the success of the team.
  
  

Development

• Actively participate in team meetings and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Attend relevant internal and external training, particularly around derivatives, finance law, and legal technology.
• Contribute to innovation, process improvement, and business development projects.
  
  

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Law or a related field, or bachelor’s degree plus post-graduate qualification/ certification in law (or equivalent experience).
  
  

No search firms/agencies please.

Reed Smith's success depends heavily on the effective utilization of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran's status, or any characteristic protected by law. As a firm, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all.

We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you have a disability or a long-term health condition and require adjustments to be made for you within the recruitment process, please contact a member of the Recruitment team. For more information on our approach to diversity and inclusion please visit our website.