Corporate Associate Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Counsel is seeking a Corporate Associate Attorney to join a highly respected Am Law firm’s Chicago office.

Position Overview
A leading national firm is seeking mid- to senior-level Corporate Associate Attorneys with approximately 4–8 years of experience to join its Corporate Group in Chicago. The role focuses on mergers & acquisitions and a broad range of general corporate transactional matters within a sophisticated, high-volume practice.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience working on complex corporate transactions, with the ability to support or manage significant portions of deal execution. Experience overseeing the full lifecycle of a transaction is a plus, along with strong drafting, analytical, and client service skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent clients in mergers & acquisitions and other corporate transactions
• Assist with or lead execution of deal workstreams across the full transaction lifecycle
• Draft and negotiate definitive agreements and ancillary transaction documents
• Advise on corporate governance, recapitalizations, private equity investments, and joint ventures
• Support clients on general corporate advisory matters, including takeover preparedness and governance issues
• Collaborate closely with cross-practice teams on complex transactions

Qualifications

• Approximately 4–8 years of experience in corporate transactional law, including M&A
• Prior law firm experience required
• Experience managing or significantly contributing to deal execution preferred
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and project management skills
• Excellent academic credentials and strong professional references preferred
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

Compensation
The anticipated base salary for this Chicago-based Associate Attorney position is $365,000–$435,000 annually , depending on experience and other job-related factors consistent with applicable law. The role may also be eligible for a discretionary year-end bonus.

Additional Information
The firm offers a robust lateral integration and mentorship program designed to support experienced attorneys during career transitions. Attorneys benefit from extensive professional development resources, a hybrid work model, and a well-established pro bono program that allows meaningful engagement in community service initiatives.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The firm is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable employment laws. Reasonable accommodations are available during the application process upon request.