Associate - Corporate (M&A/Private Equity)

Job Overview
A law firm seeks a corporate associate in Chicago, IL, with 3-5 years of experience to support a sophisticated private equity M&A practice. The role involves taking ownership of transaction workstreams from inception through closing and contributing to outstanding client service.

Duties

• Draft, review, and negotiate principal transaction documents and coordinate input across deal teams.
• Manage and execute due diligence, identifying and escalating issues, and integrate findings into transaction documents.
• Provide post-closing support for portfolio company matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, and financings.
• Drive and organize deal execution and closings, managing aggressive timelines.
• Collaborate with specialists and manage cross-functional workflows to maintain schedule.
• Supervise and mentor junior team members, delegating tasks and providing feedback.

Requirements

• JD from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
• 3-5 years of M&A experience, preferably in private equity transactions within a large law firm.
• Ability to manage substantial components of transactions from early stages through closing.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Active Illinois bar membership and in good standing.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience advising financial sponsors or strategic buyers/sellers in complex transactions.
• Comfort managing multiple matters in a deadline-driven environment.
• Interest in staying current on market practices and legal developments in private equity and M&A.

Education

• JD from an accredited law school.

Certifications

• Active Illinois bar membership.

Skills

• Strong drafting and negotiation skills.
• Effective communication and client interaction.
• Ability to manage cross-functional workflows.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages.
• Professional development programs.
• Wellness initiatives supporting physical, emotional, mental, and financial health.

Ranked as a Vault Law 100 international law firm, attorneys at this firm win by understanding their client's business, investing in their success, and by putting their interest ahead of their own. Associates boast working with brilliant attorneys, who are easy to work with, as well as having the opportunity for exciting, substantive legal work. The firm partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers, and shape markets. The attorneys at this firm bring their personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for their clients and the people they serve. Associate remark the firm is invested in their career destination and want to see the associates' career blossom. There is an opportunity to really grow, and the partners at the firm mentor associates and really care. The happiness factor is one of the firm's top priorities. As one associate put it, the firm is energized and it is an exciting place to be. The firms boasts a tightly-woven network of legal thought leaders who marry their passion for business with a deep, focused understanding of the law. Through their pro bono legal services, volunteer services, and charitable giving, lawyers at this firm are committed to giving back. This firm has been nationally ranked in 33 practice areas by US News.