Simmons & Simmons – Banking & Regulatory Finance Associate

As an Associate (2–4 years PQE) in the Banking & Regulatory Finance practice, you will join a close-knit Brussels team led by an experienced partner, alongside a managing associate and two fellow associates. The team is well known for combining high-end regulatory advice with expertise in complex financing transactions, both domestic and cross-border.

Your role will focus primarily on regulatory advisory work for leading Belgian and international financial institutions, corporates, and investors. This includes matters such as supervision and licensing, conduct of business rules, prudential requirements, product compliance, and regulatory engagement with authorities like the FSMA and the NBB.

Thanks to the international scope of many mandates, you will also collaborate with colleagues across multiple jurisdictions on cross-border regulatory projects. In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to transactional finance work, supporting the team on complex financing work, in particular:

• Leveraged finance: supporting lenders and borrowers on acquisition financings and refinancings.
• Real estate finance: advising on financing structures for real estate projects and portfolios.
• Project finance: assisting in the structuring and implementation of financings for infrastructure and energy projects.
• Responsibilities will include:
• Advising clients on the application and implementation of EU and Belgian regulatory frameworks (e.g. MiFID II, CRR/CRD, PSD2, AIFMD, AML rules, ESG-related regulation).
• Drafting complex legal memoranda, client updates, and strategic opinions on regulatory compliance.
• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating financing documentation, including loan agreements, security documents, and facility agreements.
• Coordinating cross-border assignments and liaising with colleagues in other jurisdictions.
• Managing day-to-day client relationships and acting as the primary point of contact on certain matters under the supervision of senior lawyers.
• Engaging with regulatory authorities in Belgium on filings, notifications, and licenses.
• Supporting business development by contributing to client alerts, seminars, and thought leadership.

• You hold a Master’s degree in law. An additional degree in Banking & Finance law is a plus.
• Strong academic results.
• Lawyer with 2 – 4 years of experience.
• Proficiency in English and French or Dutch.
• Focus on financial services regulatory and interest in transactional banking & finance.
• You have a strong analytical and writing skills.
• You are a real team player with a healthy business attitude and positive vibes.
• You are effective, proactive, stress resistant and creative.
• You are client oriented.

• A challenging role at a leading international law firm with strong recognition in banking & regulatory finance
• Opportunity to deepen your expertise in EU and Belgian financial regulation, while broadening into finance transactions
• Exposure to leveraged, real estate and project finance matters with top-tier clients
• Direct client interaction and progressive responsibility from the start
• Regular involvement in cross-border projects, working closely with international teams
• A collaborative, supportive Brussels office culture within a global network, offering excellent career development prospects

By creating perfect matches between legal professionals and organizations, we don’t just transform careers—we enhance the strength of legal teams. This leads to greater success and satisfaction for both candidates and clients. With a team of motivated, trilingual recruitment partners, we have successfully filled over 1,000 vacancies, achieving an impressive 98% success rate in permanent placements.