Corporate M&A / Private Equity Associate (Chicago)

Corporate M&A / Private Equity Associate (4–6 Years’)

Chicago, Illinois

$320,000–$410,000 + Bonus

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Corporate M&A / Private Equity Associate to join the Chicago office of a leading international law firm within its sophisticated transactional practice.

The position is particularly suited to an attorney with substantive private equity and M&A experience who is ready to take greater ownership of transactions, work directly with financial sponsors and strategic clients, and manage significant deal workstreams from inception through closing.

The Role

You will advise on sophisticated domestic and cross-border corporate transactions, with responsibilities including:

• Private equity acquisitions and dispositions.
• Strategic mergers and acquisitions.
• Drafting and negotiating acquisition agreements, equity documents and ancillary agreements.
• Managing transaction due diligence.
• Identifying and escalating material legal and commercial issues.
• Coordinating specialist workstreams across tax, finance, employment, IP and other areas.
• Advising portfolio companies on add-on acquisitions and other strategic transactions.
• Managing transaction closings.
• Supervising and mentoring junior associates.
• Working directly with private equity sponsors, strategic buyers and sellers.

About You

The successful candidate will ideally possess:

• 4–6 years' sophisticated M&A and private equity experience.
• Experience within a major or similarly sophisticated transactional practice.
• Strong acquisition agreement drafting and negotiation experience.
• Ability to manage significant transaction workstreams independently.
• Experience advising private equity sponsors would be particularly attractive.
• Excellent academic credentials.
• Strong commercial judgement and communication skills.
• Illinois Bar admission or eligibility for admission.

What's on Offer?

• $320,000–$410,000 base salary , depending on class year and experience.
• Additional bonus opportunities.
• Market-leading private equity and M&A work.
• Direct exposure to sophisticated financial sponsors.
• Significant transaction responsibility.
• International law firm platform.
• Excellent long-term progression opportunities.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a Corporate M&A / Private Equity Associate looking to develop within a sophisticated practice while taking genuine ownership of complex transactions.