M and A and Private Equity Senior Associate | San Francisco | Am Law 200 ranked (San Francisco)

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 200 ranked international law firm seeking a 2nd to 3rd year Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity Associate to join its San Francisco office.

This is a transactional corporate role for an associate who enjoys running with complex deal work, partnering closely with clients, and developing strong fundamentals in acquisitions and private equity investments.

The team offers a sophisticated corporate platform with hands on partner support, a collaborative deal culture, and consistent opportunities to work alongside specialists across tax, executive compensation, finance, and other core practices as needed to close transactions smoothly.

The Opportunity

You will support mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions from diligence through signing and closing, including drafting and negotiating principal and ancillary deal documents, coordinating workstreams, and contributing to practical, business focused solutions in a fast paced environment. The position is based in San Francisco with an in office schedule five days per week.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking a 2nd to 3rd year Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity Associate with:

• 2 to 3 years of law firm experience supporting mergers and acquisitions transactions
• Private equity deal experience, including working with sponsors or on buyout style transactions
• Admission to the State Bar of California
• Excellent academic credentials and strong written and verbal communication skills
• A proactive, team oriented approach and comfort with direct client collaboration in a fast paced practice

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This role offers the chance to build meaningful deal reps within a well established Am Law platform, with close exposure to senior lawyers and clients and a steady pipeline of sophisticated corporate work that supports long term development as a transactional associate.

Compensation

The anticipated salary range for this role is 235,000 to 260,000, depending on class year, experience and other relevant factors.

Relevant search terms: mergers and acquisitions, private equity, corporate associate, M and A, PE transactions, buyouts, sponsor deals, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, stock purchase agreement, asset purchase agreement, due diligence, disclosure schedules, signing and closing, ancillary documents, transaction management, deal execution, corporate governance, California bar, San Francisco corporate, junior associate, transactional attorney, carve out transactions

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