Private Equity Associate Attorney, M&A

Job overview

The Private Equity Associate Attorney, M&A role is onsite in Palo Alto, CA, with the posting also listing San Francisco, CA. The base salary range is $260,000–$390,000 per year. The attorney will join the Northern California platform of a premier global law firm through Direct Counsel. The associate leads private-equity and M&A transactions from inception through closing, advising sponsors, portfolio companies, and strategic buyers. The role contributes to transaction execution through deal management, drafting and negotiation, due diligence coordination, and collaboration with specialist teams.

What you'll do

• Lead and manage private-equity and M&A transactions from inception through closing
• draft and negotiate purchase, equity, ancillary, governance, and disclosure documents
• coordinate due diligence, specialist teams, and closings
• advise sponsors, portfolio companies, and strategic buyers on transaction structure
• manage timelines, client communications, and internal workstreams
• support negotiations and strategic discussions
• collaborate with tax, finance, employment, antitrust, and executive-compensation attorneys.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

private equity associate attorney

m&a

corporate transactions

sponsor-side acquisitions

deal execution

california bar

palo alto ca

san francisco ca

direct counsel

$260k–$390k

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Why this role

The posting lists Palo Alto and San Francisco locations and requires California bar admission; 3–6 years of private-equity and M&A experience and a J.D. are specified.

About the employer

Direct Counsel is hiring for this role. Industry: Offices of Lawyers. Sector: 54.