Mergers & Acquisitions Associate Attorney

Job Description

Job DescriptionMid-Level Mergers & Acquisitions Associate Attorney – Chicago, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; New York, New York; Salt Lake City, Utah; or Washington, DC

Direct Counsel is seeking a Mid-Level Mergers & Acquisitions Associate Attorney to join a highly respected Am Law firm in its Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, New York, Salt Lake City, or Washington, DC office.

This opportunity is ideal for an attorney with 4–6 years of experience handling sophisticated domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions transactions. The successful candidate will join a nationally recognized transactions practice and play a significant role in representing public and private companies, as well as private equity sponsors, in complex middle-market and upper middle-market transactions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage day-to-day execution of domestic and cross-border M&A transactions.

• Draft, review, and negotiate purchase agreements and other transaction documents.

• Coordinate transaction timelines and oversee legal due diligence processes.

• Serve as a key point of contact for clients, partners, opposing counsel, and transaction advisors.

• Advise clients on complex corporate and transactional matters.

• Support private equity acquisitions, dispositions, investments, and portfolio company transactions.

• Manage multiple transaction workstreams while maintaining high-quality client service.

• Collaborate with attorneys across practice groups to provide comprehensive business solutions.

Qualifications:

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.

• Active membership and good standing with the Bar in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

• Ability to obtain timely admission to the Bar of the state where the hiring office is located as a condition of employment.

• 4–6 years of experience representing clients in complex mergers and acquisitions transactions.

• Significant experience with private equity and middle-market M&A transactions is preferred.

• Strong drafting, negotiation, and transaction management skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

• Strong business judgment and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated ability to manage matters with limited supervision.

• Business development aptitude and client relationship skills.

• Positive attitude, strong interpersonal skills, and exceptional work ethic.

• Outstanding academic credentials.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a nationally recognized transactions practice that advises middle-market and upper middle-market companies, as well as private equity sponsors, on sophisticated domestic and cross-border transactions. Attorneys in this group enjoy meaningful client interaction, significant responsibility, and a collaborative environment that values professional growth, entrepreneurial thinking, and long-term career development.

Compensation: $290,000 – $390,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability and life insurance, adoption assistance, and dependent care support.