Mergers and Acquisitions Associate

A top-tier global law firm consistently ranked among the elite Am Law and Vault firms, with a Washington, D.C. office that combines a genuinely national-caliber corporate practice with the regulatory depth the city is known for. The firm advises on complex, often highly regulated M&A transactions for public companies, private equity sponsors, and strategic acquirers, and its D.C. platform is a magnet for deals where antitrust, CFIUS, or sector-specific regulatory issues sit alongside the corporate work. The culture is collaborative and merit-driven, with a strong track record of promoting associates who take on real responsibility early. The Practice The M&A group in D.C. sits at the intersection of high-stakes corporate work and the regulatory expertise the office is built around. Deal flow spans public and private M&A, joint ventures, and strategic transactions — many with a national security, antitrust, or government contracts dimension that you won't get the same exposure to in a pure New York deal practice. The group works in close coordination with the firm's Antitrust/Competition, CFIUS, and Government Contracts teams, giving associates cross-practice fluency that's genuinely differentiated in the market. Staffing is lean relative to peer firms, meaning associates take on live negotiating and drafting responsibility earlier than is typical. The Role The firm is looking for a 4th–6th year M&A Associate to join the Washington, D.C. corporate team. You'll work directly with partners and senior associates on complex, often regulatorily sensitive transactions — drafting and negotiating primary deal documents, managing due diligence, and coordinating with regulatory specialists on issues that add real strategic weight to the deals. As you grow into the role, you'll take on more direct client contact and a growing voice in negotiations. What's on Offer Distinctive deal exposure — M&A work with a regulatory and national security dimension you won't find at firms without a serious D.C. platform Real ownership — substantive drafting and negotiation responsibility rather than a purely diligence-focused seat Cross-practice fluency — genuine, regular collaboration with antitrust, CFIUS, and government contracts specialists Direct client contact — early and growing exposure to sophisticated corporate and sponsor clients A credible path to partnership — a demonstrated record of promoting associates who perform Market-leading compensation — Cravath-scale base and bonus Sustainable culture — serious, high-caliber work without the churn-and-burn reputation of some peer platforms #J-18808-Ljbffr