Private Equity / Mergers & Acquisitions Mid-Level Associate Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Private Equity / Mergers & Acquisitions Mid-Level Associate Attorney
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Compensation: $310,000–$390,000 (commensurate with class year and experience) + discretionary bonus

Direct Counsel is seeking a Private Equity/M&A Mid-Level Associate to join the Los Angeles office of a prestigious Am Law firm . This opportunity is ideal for an attorney with 4–6 years of sophisticated private equity and mergers & acquisitions experience who is looking to take on a lead role in complex transactions involving financial sponsors and strategic buyers and sellers.

The ideal candidate has experience leading transactions from inception through closing, managing deal teams, and advising clients on a wide range of private equity investments, leveraged buyouts, and strategic acquisitions.

Responsibilities

• Represent private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and strategic buyers and sellers in complex domestic and cross-border M&A transactions.
• Advise clients on leveraged buyouts, sell-side transactions, growth equity investments, minority investments, and other strategic corporate transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate purchase agreements, merger agreements, investment documents, disclosure schedules, and related transaction documents.
• Lead transaction execution, including managing timelines, coordinating due diligence, and overseeing deal workstreams.
• Supervise junior associates and coordinate with specialist practice groups throughout the transaction process.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, opposing counsel, and transaction participants.
• Provide strategic legal advice throughout all stages of sophisticated corporate transactions.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
• 4–6 years of private equity and/or M&A transactional experience at a top-tier law firm.
• Significant experience representing financial sponsors and strategic buyers and sellers.
• Demonstrated experience serving as the lead associate on complex transactions.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills involving principal transaction documents.
• Experience managing due diligence, transaction processes, and multidisciplinary deal teams.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Active membership in the California Bar.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary expected to align with class year, generally ranging from $310,000–$390,000 , plus a discretionary performance bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement benefits, paid time off, and additional firm-sponsored wellness and professional development programs.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial environment with significant client exposure and opportunities to work on sophisticated private equity and M&A transactions.