Corporate Associate Attorney M&A & Private Equity
Job Description
Job Description
Direct Counsel is seeking a Corporate Associate to join a premier Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity practice in San Francisco. This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney looking to advise sophisticated corporate clients and private equity sponsors on high-profile transactions while gaining significant client exposure, deal responsibility, and opportunities for long-term career growth.
The ideal candidate will have substantial M&A experience, strong transaction management skills, and the ability to independently manage complex matters in a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities
- Advise corporate clients and private equity funds on a broad range of transactional matters
- Structure, negotiate, and manage:
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Private equity investments
- Minority investments
- Strategic transactions
- Corporate reorganizations
- General corporate matters
- Draft and negotiate acquisition agreements and ancillary transaction documents
- Conduct legal due diligence and coordinate transaction execution
- Manage deals from initial structuring through closing
- Work directly with executives, investors, boards of directors, and private equity sponsors
- Collaborate with attorneys across finance, tax, employment, intellectual property, and regulatory practices
- Participate in business development and client relationship initiatives
Qualifications
- J.D. from an accredited law school
- Law school class years 2018–2021
- Significant experience handling M&A transactions
- Strong understanding of corporate law and market transaction terms
- Extensive experience drafting and negotiating transaction documents
- Proven deal management experience
- Ability to independently manage matters and assume significant responsibility
- Strong business judgment and client-service orientation
- Entrepreneurial mindset with interest in developing client relationships
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, communication, and analytical skills
- Outstanding academic credentials
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $310,000 – $420,000
- Compensation based on experience, qualifications, and other operational considerations
- Discretionary performance-based bonus opportunities
- Comprehensive healthcare benefits
- Retirement benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Parental leave
- Basic life insurance
Why This Opportunity
- Join a premier M&A and Private Equity practice
- Work on sophisticated transactions for leading corporate and private equity clients
- Significant client contact and hands-on deal responsibility
- Collaborative and entrepreneurial team environment
- Strong mentorship, professional development, and advancement opportunities
- Platform to build meaningful client relationships and long-term career success
Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier law firms and fostering inclusive hiring practices.