Senior Attorney: Banking and Finance

SUMMARY:
Motsoeneng Bill is a national, award-winning professional services firm that provides integrated Legal, Advisory, and Forensic services to private sector organisations, organs of state, state-owned entities, municipalities and individuals across South Africa. We are looking for a Senior Attorney: Banking and Finance to join the MB team in Houghton and help lead the continued growth of our Banking and Finance practice.

POSITION INFO:
What we are looking for We are looking for a technically excellent, commercially astute and client-facing Senior Banking & Finance Attorney with a minimum of 10 years' post-admission experience, who is able to lead complex financing transactions from origination through to closing, take ownership of key client relationships, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the practice. The successful candidate will advise local and international lenders, borrowers, sponsors and funders on a broad range of financing transactions, lead deal teams and provide strategic, regulatory and commercial input at partner-track level. Key responsibilities Lead the structuring, drafting and negotiation of loan agreements (including LMA-style bilateral and syndicated facilities), facility letters, security documentation, intercreditor agreements and ancillary documents. Advise on and structure security packages (movable\/immovable, cessions of rights, guarantees, pledges and registration processes) for complex, multi-party transactions. Take overall responsibility for legal due diligence on leverage financing, acquisition, projects and infrastructure and structured finance transactions; identify legal, regulatory and title risks and direct mitigation strategies. Draft and issue enforceability and legal opinions and manage relationships with external counsel in other jurisdictions on cross-border transactions. Originate new business and actively grow the firm's banking and finance client base, including responding to tenders, pitches and RFPs. Build and manage a portfolio of client relationships with banks, development finance institutions, private credit and alternative lending funds, and corporate borrowers. Advise on emerging areas of the market, including private credit and non-bank lending, sustainability-linked and green loan facilities, and fintech and digital finance regulatory matters. Keep clients, directors and colleagues appraised of market, regulatory and precedent developments affecting banking and finance transactions. Manage full deal execution, attend and lead negotiations, and take responsibility for billing, matter profitability and fee-earner utilisation on banking and finance matters. Supervise, mentor and develop junior and mid-level fee earners, and contribute to the training and development of the wider team. Minimum requirements LLB (or equivalent) and admission as an Attorney in South Africa. 10 or more years' post-admission experience in local and international commercial lending, bilateral and syndicated loans, security documentation and projects and infrastructure and\/or asset finance. Demonstrable ability to bring and grow a client base - this is a core requirement of the role. Strong drafting and negotiation skills with extensive, demonstrable experience preparing LMA-style documentation. Sound commercial awareness and the ability to structure deals that achieve client objectives while managing legal risk. A proven track record of leading deal teams and managing complex, multi-party transactions independently. Desirable (but not essential) Experience advising banks, DFIs, private equity sponsors, private credit funds or project finance borrowers. Experience with NCA compliance, Prudential Authority and SARB regulatory matters, and financial markets\/fintech matters. Exposure to sustainability-linked, green or social loan facilities and ESG-related financing structures. Postgraduate qualification (e.g., LLM, BCom Law). Established client relationships and a demonstrable business development track record, including experience leading pitches and tenders. Technical & behavioural competencies Mastery of commercial drafting and the ability to convert complex terms into clear legal provisions. Excellent written and verbal communication, with strong client relationship management skills. Strong commercial acumen, business development orientation and a demonstrated ability to originate and grow client mandates. Strong project management, time management and client-service orientation. Proven leadership ability, with a genuine commitment to mentoring and developing junior staff. Application Process If you meet the requirements and are unable to apply via the Placement Partner recruitment portal, kindly submit the following to : Detailed CV. Certified copy of Identity Document. Certified copies of qualifications. Confidentiality By submitting your application, you consent to Motsoeneng Bill collecting and processing your personal information for the purpose of evaluating your application, in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA). Your information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any purpose other than recruitment. Appointment & Remuneration Permanent appointment, subject to a probationary period. Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and skills and is subject to negotiation.