Corporate Associate – M&A & Private Equity

Direct Counsel is seeking a Corporate Associate to join a premier Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity practice in San Francisco. This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney looking to advise sophisticated corporate clients and private equity sponsors on high-profile transactions while gaining significant client exposure, deal responsibility, and opportunities for long-term career growth.

The ideal candidate will have substantial M&A experience, strong transaction management skills, and the ability to independently manage complex matters in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise corporate clients and private equity funds on a broad range of transactional matters
• Structure, negotiate, and manage:
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Private equity investments
  • Minority investments
  • Strategic transactions
  • Corporate reorganizations
  • General corporate matters
• Draft and negotiate acquisition agreements and ancillary transaction documents
• Conduct legal due diligence and coordinate transaction execution
• Manage deals from initial structuring through closing
• Work directly with executives, investors, boards of directors, and private equity sponsors
• Collaborate with attorneys across finance, tax, employment, intellectual property, and regulatory practices
• Participate in business development and client relationship initiatives

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Law school class years 2018–2021
• Significant experience handling M&A transactions
• Strong understanding of corporate law and market transaction terms
• Extensive experience drafting and negotiating transaction documents
• Proven deal management experience
• Ability to independently manage matters and assume significant responsibility
• Strong business judgment and client-service orientation
• Entrepreneurial mindset with interest in developing client relationships
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, communication, and analytical skills
• Outstanding academic credentials

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $310,000 – $420,000
• Compensation based on experience, qualifications, and other operational considerations
• Discretionary performance-based bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits
• Retirement benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Parental leave
• Basic life insurance

Why This Opportunity

• Join a premier M&A and Private Equity practice
• Work on sophisticated transactions for leading corporate and private equity clients
• Significant client contact and hands-on deal responsibility
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial team environment
• Strong mentorship, professional development, and advancement opportunities
• Platform to build meaningful client relationships and long-term career success

Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier law firms and fostering inclusive hiring practices.