Associate, M&A

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

Department purpose

We are incredibly proud of our rich legacy—formed over decades—advising many of the world's leading corporations and financial institutions in their most complex and critical transactions. Consistently ranked as one of the world's leading law firms for M&A, we are at the forefront of the world's most innovative transactions. Our M&A lawyers have accumulated decades of experience advising on many of the most high-profile transactions in the marketplace from public company transactions, special committee representations, private sales and take privates to complicated joint ventures and consortium transactions.

Role purpose

A&O Shearman’s corporate M&A practice is seeking exceptional senior-level associates to join its growing US presence who are eager to be a part of something transformative. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in corporate M&A work at a law firm and will be responsible for supporting and leading various aspects of complex corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and other strategic business combinations. The mid, senior-level associate should be a self-starter with demonstrated experience running deals or a significant contributor on a team. The associate role will be client facing and should demonstrate confidence while speaking to opposing parties.

Role and responsibilities

• Represent clients in a variety of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and venture capital financings.
• Draft, review and negotiate primary and ancillary transaction documents.
• Assist in managing due diligence and all logistical preparation for signing/closing.
• Communicate with appropriate audiences on open issues and transaction documents.

Minimum requirements

• A Juris Doctor (JD) degree (LLM or foreign equivalent) from an accredited law school.
• Must be admitted, and in good standing, to the California bar.
• Previous corporate M&A experience, either at a firm or in-house.

Preferred requirements

• Previous experience negotiating critical points of a deal with opposing counsel.
• Experience reviewing purchase agreements and creating an issues list.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively under tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• JD years 2021- 2017

The salary range for this position is $365,000 - $435,000, depending on the candidate's JD year. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes a discretionary bonus, paid leave, life, health, accident, and disability insurance; and a 401(k) plan.

Equal employment opportunity, including Veterans and Disability

A&O Shearman is an equal opportunity employer, including Veterans and Disability. Every individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment. This policy applies to all aspects of an individual’s relationship with A&O Shearman, including, without limitation, recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

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