Private Equity Associate Attorney Mergers & Acquisitions

Job Description

Job Description

Private Equity Associate Attorney – Mergers & Acquisitions

Direct Counsel is seeking a Private Equity Associate Attorney to join a nationally recognized law firm's sophisticated Private Equity and M&A practice. This opportunity is open to attorneys based in either the firm's Santa Monica, CA or New York, NY office and is ideal for an attorney with 3–6 years of experience representing private equity sponsors, funds, and portfolio companies in complex transactional matters.

The successful candidate will work on a broad range of private equity and mergers and acquisitions transactions, including drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, merger agreements, partnership agreements, and ancillary transaction documents. In addition to transactional execution, the associate will play an integral role in advising private equity fund and portfolio company clients on their day-to-day legal and business needs.

This position offers the opportunity to take on significant responsibility, develop strong client relationships, and serve as a strategic partner to sophisticated private equity clients in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

• Represent private equity sponsors, funds, and portfolio companies in a variety of transactional matters.

• Draft, review, and negotiate purchase agreements, merger agreements, and other principal transaction documents.

• Prepare and negotiate limited liability company (LLC) agreements, limited partnership (LP) agreements, and related organizational documents.

• Draft and negotiate ancillary transaction documents in connection with private equity investments and M&A transactions.

• Advise private equity fund and portfolio company clients on ongoing legal and business matters.

• Serve as an extension of clients' internal business teams, providing practical legal guidance and strategic advice.

• Manage transaction workflows, coordinate deal execution, and oversee multiple matters simultaneously.

• Collaborate with colleagues and clients to efficiently navigate complex transactions and meet demanding deadlines.

Qualifications:

• 3–6 years of private equity and mergers and acquisitions experience.

• Prior experience representing private equity sponsors is required.

• Experience working with private equity funds and portfolio companies on transactional and day-to-day legal matters.

• Strong experience drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, merger agreements, LLC agreements, LP agreements, and ancillary transaction documents.

• Prior experience at a large law firm is required.

• Excellent academic credentials.

• Superior drafting, legal writing, analytical, and communication skills.

• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and project management abilities.

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities.

• Demonstrated business and strategic judgment, with the ability to provide practical, commercially focused legal advice.

• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented, and dynamic environment.

Compensation & Benefits:

The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is $260,000–$390,000 , with final compensation dependent on geographic location, applicable experience, and skill set.

The firm offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Health savings and flexible spending accounts.

• Life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term medical benefits, and long-term care coverage.

• Four weeks of accrued vacation annually and two weeks of sick time.

• 10 paid holidays each year.

• Generous parental leave and fertility benefits.

• Backup care for children and adults, along with additional parental support resources.

• Pre-tax commuter benefits.

Office Locations: Santa Monica, CA; New York, NY.

Interested in Learning More?

Private equity and M&A attorneys with 3–6 years of experience representing private equity sponsors, funds, and portfolio companies are encouraged to apply. Candidates with strong transactional drafting and negotiation experience and the ability to take on meaningful client-facing responsibilities are particularly encouraged to explore this opportunity.

Please submit your resume to Direct Counsel for confidential consideration. We welcome the opportunity to discuss the position and how it may align with your career goals.