Associate – Corporate (M&A/Private Equity) – Chicago

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700  lawyers and 1,450 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work. 

Here, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office. 

With us, you’ll find:

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself! 

• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive. 

• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our McDermott Well program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance. 

• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Position Summary

McDermott’s Chicago office is seeking a corporate associate with 3–5 years of experience to support a sophisticated private equity M&A practice, including by taking meaningful ownership of transaction workstreams from deal inception through closing and by contributing to the practice’s focus on delivering outstanding client service. Applications should be submitted online through our web apply portal. Questions can be directed to Renee Richford, Talent Acquisition Manager, at Rrichford@mcdermottlaw.com.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate principal transaction documents (e.g., acquisition agreements, equity documents and ancillary documents) and coordinate input across deal teams.
• Manage and execute due diligence (including identifying and escalating issues/“red flags”), and help translate diligence findings into transaction documents and deal process planning.
• Provide post-closing support for portfolio company matters, including add-on acquisitions, dispositions, financings and general corporate counseling.
• Drive and organize deal execution and closings, including managing through aggressive timelines.  
• Collaborate with specialists (e.g., finance, tax, benefits, real estate, IP, litigation) and help manage cross-functional workflows to keep matters moving on schedule.
• Supervise and mentor junior team members, including delegating discrete diligence, drafting tasks, and providing feedback.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
• 3–5 years of M&A experience, preferably with a focus on private equity transactions within a large or similarly sophisticated law firm environment.
• Demonstrated ability to run substantial components of transactions (e.g., discrete workstreams) from early deal stages through closing.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills, including comfort interacting directly with clients and internal deal teams.
• Active Illinois bar membership and in good standing.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience advising financial sponsors and/or strategic buyers/sellers in complex, fast-moving transactions with multiple stakeholders.
• Comfort managing multiple matters in a deadline-driven environment, including prioritization and proactive communication to keep deals on track.
• Interest in staying current on market practice and legal developments relevant to private equity and M&A.

As part of our ongoing commitment to be #AlwaysBetter for our people, clients and communities, we have created a culture of belonging that champions your individuality as both a person and a professional. From our competitive compensation, top benefits and award-winning professional development programs to industry-leading wellness initiatives, we support you through every stage of your life and career. With McDermott, you can live a life you love both in and outside of the office.

Expected Pay Range for Associates: 2026/2025 Class Compensation Years: $225,000

                                                           2024 Class Compensation Years: $235,000

                                                           2023 Class Compensation Years: $260,000

                                                           2022 Class Compensation Years: $310,000

                                                           2021 Class Compensation Years: $365,000

                                                           2020 Class Compensation Years: $390,000

                                                           2019 Class Compensation Years: $420,000

                                                           2018 and more senior class compensation years: $435,000

Salary : $225,000 - $435,000