CMBS / Structured Finance Attorney (NY / Chicago)

KBRA (Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC) is seeking an experienced structured finance attorney to join our Ratings Legal team.  You will support our industry-leading commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) new issuance ratings team, working on conduit, single-asset/single borrower, CRE CLO, data center, SFR and other types of CMBS and structured finance transactions. The position can be located in either our New York or Chicago office.

About the Job:

You will work predominantly with KBRA’s CMBS new issuance ratings team on a wide range of CMBS transactions. Key responsibilities will include:

• Reviewing offering and transaction documents and articulating any legal or credit concerns that emerge
• Identifying and evaluating the potential credit impact of transaction and loan structures
• Coordinating with rating analysts on relevant legal issues
• Liaising with external legal counsel
• Participating in rating committees
• Supporting the analytical team with the preparation of KBRA’s market-leading rating and research reports
• Assisting the CMBS Surveillance group with Rating Agency Confirmation (RAC) requests.

About the Team:

Unique among rating agencies, the attorneys of KBRA’s Ratings Legal team work alongside ratings analysts to identify, evaluate, and articulate key legal and credit features and risks in transaction structures. As integral members of the credit ratings groups they support, they contribute to research reports and methodology development and engage in investor outreach. Ultimately, the attorneys in Ratings Legal serve as an important safeguard for ensuring the quality, accuracy, timeliness and consistency of KBRA’s ratings.  

About You:

You are extremely motivated, and able to effectively multi-task and to work independently and alongside other members of the ratings group you support.

To be successful in this role, you should have:

• Five or more years of experience focused on CMBS and/or commercial real estate finance
• JD and Bar admission in the United States
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent research, analytical and organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to take initiative and work independently, as well as to collaborate with others in a collegial environment
• Skill at working on multiple transactions simultaneously in an organized fashion and ability to meet deadlines

The anticipated annual base salary range for this full-time position is $250,000 to $275,000. Offer amounts are determined by factors such as experience, skills, geography, and other job-related factors.