What does a banking and finance lawyer actually do on an ordinary day? Here is an honest, realistic picture, so you can judge whether the work suits you.
Quick answer
A banking and finance lawyer’s day is document- and transaction-focused: drafting and reviewing financing documents (like loan and security documents), working on the terms and structure of financings, conducting or reviewing related due diligence, researching specific points, and coordinating with the parties (lenders, borrowers, and other advisers).
Days are collaborative and deadline-driven around live financings, when hours can extend, and steadier between deals. The steady state is careful drafting, review and coordination on financing transactions.
A realistic day
- Morning: A finance lawyer often begins with emails and updates on live financings, then picks up tasks: drafting or revising parts of a financing document, reviewing documents, or working on the terms and conditions of a deal. There may be a call with the deal team, lenders or borrowers to align on progress.
- Midday: The work continues on the financing: researching a specific point, drafting a particular document or provision, reviewing due diligence relevant to the financing (such as security), and coordinating with other advisers and parties. Juniors spend much of their time on drafting, reviewing documents and keeping the financing organised.
- Afternoon and evening: More drafting, review and coordination, responding to developments, and progressing the financing toward completion. Around key moments, the pace intensifies as documents are finalised and conditions satisfied, which can mean long days. Between financings, the pace is more moderate.
What the day is NOT (mostly)
A finance lawyer’s day is not courtroom work; it is detailed, document-focused work on financing transactions. For people who enjoy careful, structured work and the world of financing, it is engaging; for those wanting a courtroom or a calm, unvarying pace, it is different.
YLCC ACTION STEP: Ask yourself: does a day of drafting and reviewing financing documents, working through terms and structure, and coordinating a deal sound engaging or draining? Your honest answer is a strong signal. A banking and finance internship lets you experience these days first-hand.
FAQs
- What does a banking and finance lawyer do all day? Drafting and reviewing financing documents, working on terms and structure, conducting or reviewing due diligence, researching, and coordinating with lenders, borrowers and other parties.
- Are the hours long? Around live financings, they can be, with long days; between deals, the pace is steadier.
- Is the work numbers-heavy? It is document- and structure-focused rather than maths-heavy, though comfort with basic financial concepts helps.
- Is it exciting? The steady state is careful financing work; key deal moments bring intensity. Engaging for those who enjoy structured work and financing.
- How can I experience it? Do a banking and finance internship. Real days on a financing tell you more than any description.
Thank you for reading!
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