Corporate M&A/Emerging Companies Associate Attorney

A law firm in Palo Alto, CA is seeking a Corporate M&A/Emerging Companies Associate Attorney to join their Corporate and M&A practice. This role involves working with emerging companies and venture capital financings across a broad range of industries, including tech and life sciences. The attorney will represent companies at all stages of their lifecycle, from early-stage startups to established businesses, in corporate matters such as venture financings, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate restructuring. The ideal candidate will possess strong academic credentials, commercial awareness, and the ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams on international deals.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Corporate Representation:
  • Represent emerging companies and venture capital investors in various corporate and transactional matters.
  • Handle early and late-stage venture financings, mergers and acquisitions, private and public offerings.
  • Advise on corporate formations, shareholders agreements, and corporate restructurings.
• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A):
  • Draft, review, and negotiate M&A transaction documents for both public and private acquisitions.
  • Lead and coordinate due diligence efforts, ensuring all aspects of the transaction are properly assessed.
  • Ensure that client interests are represented and protected throughout the transaction process.
• Transactional Management:
  • Work in large, multidisciplinary teams to manage and coordinate complex transactions.
  • Ensure that all parties involved in the transaction are on schedule and that key transactional information is disseminated effectively.
  • Liaise directly with senior management of clients and stakeholders.
• Legal Research and Drafting:
  • Conduct and oversee legal research to support corporate transactions.
  • Draft and revise a wide range of corporate documents, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of corporate governance, venture financing, and emerging company trends.
• Client Advisory:
  • Provide legal counsel to tech and life science companies, including advising on venture capital financing, startup strategies, and exit planning.
  • Assist clients in navigating complex corporate issues, ensuring their legal interests are safeguarded.
  • Build and maintain strong client relationships, offering strategic advice to senior management.

Requirements

• Experience:
  • 2+ years of experience in law firm or in-house settings, specifically working on corporate matters such as mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and venture capital financings.
  • Experience with emerging companies and venture capital financing is highly preferred.
• Education:
  • Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensing:
  • Licensed, or eligible to become licensed, to practice law in California.
  • Must be admitted to the Bar and in good standing.

Skills

• Legal Knowledge:
  • Deep understanding of corporate law, venture capital financing, and M&A transactions.
  • Knowledge of the tech and life sciences industries, particularly in areas such as software, fintech, pharma, and medical devices.
• Drafting and Negotiation:
  • Strong drafting skills, with the ability to prepare sophisticated corporate and transaction documents.
  • Excellent negotiation skills, capable of effectively representing client interests in complex deals.
• Communication and Collaboration:
  • Outstanding oral and written communication skills, enabling seamless interaction with clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work effectively in international teams.
• Project Management:
  • Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
  • Capable of leading teams through complex transactions, ensuring all components are executed efficiently.
• Commercial Awareness:
  • Strong business acumen, with the ability to understand client needs and tailor legal strategies to align with business objectives.
  • Ability to think creatively and strategically, providing practical solutions to complex legal issues.

Certifications and Licensing

• Required:
  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
  • Licensed to practice law in California, or eligible to obtain licensure.

Job Location

• Palo Alto, CA

Benefits

The law firm offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life and disability insurance.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Paid vacation and leave programs, including parental leave.
• Performance-based bonuses for exempt roles.
• Career development and professional growth opportunities.

A highly respected New York firm that has grown into an international juggernaut, this AmLaw firm boasts 44 offices spread across 30 countries. The firm is renowned for its strengths in the areas of global M&A, finance, antitrust, arbitration, financial restructuring, cross-border transactions, and insolvency. But despite the firm?s top-drawer status, there?s little stodginess here ? the firm was ranked first in diversity by American Lawyer in 2017 and 2018 and, by Law360, as the top law firm for people of color. While the firm?s attorneys are expected to work hard, it is sure to be top quality, complex work that will help you take your career to the next level.