Demo

Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Associate (ECVC / Corporate Transactions)

Direct Counsel
San Francisco, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 6/3/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 8/3/2026
Direct Counsel is seeking an Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Associate with 4–7 years of experience to join a growing national ECVC practice. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who enjoys working with startups, growth-stage companies, venture capital investors, and founders on a broad range of corporate and financing transactions.

The ideal candidate will have experience advising emerging companies throughout their lifecycle, from formation and fundraising through strategic transactions and exits.

Locations

  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Orange County, CA
  • San Francisco, CA

Responsibilities

  • Advise emerging growth companies and venture-backed businesses on day-to-day corporate matters
  • Represent companies and investors in venture capital and private financing transactions
  • Draft and negotiate:
    • Preferred equity financing documents
    • SAFEs
    • Convertible notes
    • Investment documents
    • Acquisition agreements
    • Corporate governance documents
  • Assist clients with company formation and organizational matters
  • Support mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, and other corporate transactions
  • Manage transaction processes from inception through closing
  • Advise clients regarding federal securities law compliance and corporate governance matters
  • Prepare board materials, resolutions, minutes, and equity incentive documentation
  • Collaborate with attorneys across a national corporate platform on sophisticated transactions

Qualifications

  • 4–7 years of corporate transactional experience
  • Experience representing emerging companies, startups, venture capital funds, or growth-stage businesses
  • Experience with:
    • Preferred equity financings
    • SAFEs
    • Convertible notes
    • Private securities offerings
    • Corporate formation and governance matters
  • Experience handling mergers and acquisitions and strategic investment transactions
  • Knowledge of federal securities laws, regulations, and exchange requirements
  • Experience maintaining governance policies, board materials, committee charters, and equity incentive programs
  • Strong drafting, negotiation, communication, and project management skills
  • Solid understanding of business and financial fundamentals
  • Ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously
  • AmLaw 100 experience preferred
  • Strong academic credentials from an accredited law school
  • Active California Bar admission required

Compensation & Benefits

  • Expected salary range: $285,000 – $370,000
  • Compensation is determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic market, and other relevant factors
  • Performance- and hours-based bonus opportunities
  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • Opportunity to work with startups, venture-backed companies, founders, and investors across a variety of industries
  • Significant client exposure and hands-on responsibility
  • Professional development and mentorship opportunities
  • Clear path for long-term career growth and advancement

Why This Opportunity

  • Work with innovative startups and emerging growth companies
  • Advise clients throughout the full company lifecycle, from formation to exit
  • Handle sophisticated venture capital financings and M&A transactions
  • Collaborate with a nationally recognized corporate practice
  • Gain meaningful responsibility and direct client interaction in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment

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

Salary : $285,000 - $370,000

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Associate (ECVC / Corporate Transactions)?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Associate (ECVC / Corporate Transactions) career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$95,426 - $117,847
Income Estimation: 
$115,392 - $147,123
Income Estimation: 
$149,464 - $205,507
Income Estimation: 
$166,181 - $263,377
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Direct Counsel

  • Direct Counsel Wilmington, DE
  • Direct Counsel is seeking a Privacy & Digital Risk Litigation Associate with 2–3 years of litigation experience to join a premier Digital Assets and Data M... more
  • Just Posted

  • Direct Counsel Washington, DC
  • Direct Counsel is seeking an Affordable Housing Transactional Associate with 3 years of experience to join a nationally recognized Affordable Housing pract... more
  • Just Posted

  • Direct Counsel Washington, DC
  • Direct Counsel is seeking experienced attorneys interested in joining a premier international law firm's Denver office. This opportunity is open to attorne... more
  • Just Posted

  • Direct Counsel Washington, DC
  • Direct Counsel is seeking an experienced Of Counsel Attorney to join a premier international law firm in Houston. This opportunity is designed for highly a... more
  • Just Posted


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Associate (ECVC / Corporate Transactions) jobs in the San Francisco, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • Partners Capital San Francisco, CA
  • The Investment Senior Associate located in San Francisco will be a key contributor to our 25-person Private Equity and Real Estate team. As a sophisticated... more
  • 18 Days Ago

  • Advocates Legal Recruiting San Francisco, CA
  • Corporate Associate – Public Companies & Capital Markets | AmLaw 100 Location: Prefer San Fran or Palo Alto, but open to NYC, LA, Boston, Austin, DC, Seatt... more
  • 2 Months Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!