Mergers & Acquisitions Associate Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Counsel is seeking a Mid-Level Mergers & Acquisitions Associate Attorney to join a highly respected global law firm.

Location: San Francisco, CA

Practice Area: Corporate – Mergers & Acquisitions / Private Equity / Growth Equity

Overview:
This is an opportunity for a junior to mid-level associate to join a growing Corporate M&A practice within a leading international law firm. The role offers hands-on experience advising public and private companies on complex M&A transactions, with potential exposure to capital markets and growth equity matters in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Position Overview:
The ideal candidate will have prior law firm experience handling merger and acquisition transactions and a strong interest in developing deep expertise in corporate transactional work. This role involves active participation in deal execution, client interaction, and cross-functional collaboration across sophisticated domestic and international matters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support and manage M&A transactions for private and public company clients
• Draft, review, and negotiate acquisition agreements and related transactional documents
• Assist with deal structuring, due diligence, and transaction management from inception to closing
• Participate in client calls, negotiations, and closing processes
• Conduct legal research and prepare memos, contracts, and other legal documents
• Collaborate with cross-office and cross-disciplinary teams on complex matters
• Maintain compliance with applicable corporate, securities, and transactional regulations

Qualifications:

• 1–3+ years of M&A or general corporate transactional experience
• Experience in mergers & acquisitions strongly preferred; exposure to capital markets, SEC reporting, or growth equity is a plus
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Strong academic credentials from a nationally recognized law school
• Active membership in good standing with the California Bar (or eligibility for admission)

Compensation:
Expected salary range: $225,000 – $260,000, commensurate with experience

This is a strong opportunity to join a globally recognized platform with a robust M&A practice and significant exposure to sophisticated, high-value transactions across industries.