Associate General Counsel, Mergers & Acquisitions

CareVet is a network of veterinary hospitals that focuses on acquiring and managing best-in-class hospitals throughout the United States. We look for veterinary practices that are staples of their community. Whether it’s one hospital or a dozen, we focus on the standard of care delivered, the level of engagement from the team and the record of stability. We are building a network of the top hospitals, doctors and staff. CareVet’s mission is to provide the very best care for pets. Our holistic approach to veterinary medicine focuses on practice legacy, team, veterinarians, patients and community. Position Overview Reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer, the Associate General Counsel will serve as a key legal partner supporting CareVet's acquisition and growth strategy across a rapidly expanding national footprint. This individual will be primarily responsible for leading the legal execution of mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions, while secondarily providing legal guidance on commercial agreements and/or employment matters that support the organization's continued growth. This role requires an organized attorney who combines strong M&A transaction execution skills with practical commercial judgment. The ideal candidate can effectively manage multiple acquisitions simultaneously, negotiate complex agreements, identify and mitigate legal risks, and provide solutions-oriented advice to business stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings a strong balance of legal expertise and business acumen, with the ability to support strategic growth initiatives while maintaining a pragmatic approach to risk management. The successful candidate will oversee all legal aspects of the acquisition lifecycle, including due diligence, transaction structuring, purchase agreement negotiations, closing activities, and post-acquisition integration support. In addition, this role will provide strategic support for commercial contracting, vendor relationships, and other legal matters impacting the business. This role will work in close partnership with Business Development, Finance, Operations, People & Culture, Revenue, and executive leadership to ensure efficient transaction execution and ongoing legal support across the organization. Key Responsibilities Mergers & Acquisitions Lead legal execution of veterinary practice acquisitions from letter of intent through closing and post-acquisition integration Draft, review, negotiate, and manage asset purchase agreements, membership interest purchase agreements, ancillary transaction documents, and disclosure schedules Coordinate and oversee legal due diligence efforts across multiple concurrent transactions Identify transaction risks and provide practical recommendations to facilitate successful deal execution Partner closely with Business Development, Finance, Operations, and external counsel throughout the acquisition lifecycle Support integration efforts and legal transition activities following acquisition closings Assist in developing scalable acquisition processes, templates, playbooks, and best practices to support continued growth Commercial Contracts, Employment Matters, & Business Support Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of commercial agreements, including vendor, technology, consulting, service, confidentiality, and strategic partnership agreements Support procurement and vendor management initiatives, including contract support related to acquisition integrations Develop and maintain legal templates, standards, and self-service resources for business partners Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on employment and employment-related agreements Qualifications Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school Active bar membership in good standing; Missouri admission preferred or ability to obtain admission 4–8+ years of direct experience with all aspects of the M&A process, including NDAs, QoE documentation, IOI/LOI preparation, due diligence, purchase agreement drafting, redlining, and negotiation, and post-closing matters Experience with general corporate transactions, private equity, commercial contracting, or related areas Experience managing multiple transactions and competing priorities simultaneously Strong understanding of transaction structuring, risk assessment, and corporate governance principles Experience supporting high-growth, private equity-backed organizations preferred Experience in healthcare, veterinary, dental, multi-site service businesses, or related industries preferred Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills Strong business acumen with a practical, solutions-oriented approach What We Offer Best-in-class medical, vision, and dental insurance 401(k) with company match Short-term and long-term disability insurance HSA and FSA options Employee Assistance Program with a licensed social worker on staff Unlimited paid time off Continuing education and professional development opportunities #J-18808-Ljbffr CareVet