Private Equity M&A Associate Attorney

Chicago's middle-market sponsors kept closing straight through the rate cycle, and the associates who can run a portfolio company add-on from LOI to signing without a partner on every call are the ones the global firms are hiring into this market right now.

An elite global firm with a top-ranked M&A practice is hiring a mid-level private equity M&A associate (3–6 years) in Chicago. Cravath scale — $260K–$390K depending on class year, plus bonus eligibility.

You'd lead drafting on deals for private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, venture funds, and high-growth companies — buy-side, sell-side, and financings — in a global platform's Chicago office where mid-levels own workstreams and sit across the table from opposing counsel.

The work includes:

• Sponsor side M&A — platform acquisitions, add-ons, divestitures, and exits
• Purchase and merger agreements, LLC and LP agreements, and ancillary transaction documents
• Equity financings, minority investments, and joint ventures for growth stage and privately held companies
• Day-to-day portfolio company counseling and general corporate matters for fund clients

What you bring:

• 3–6 years of private equity or M&A experience at a leading firm, with public and private company reps
• Experience representing buyers, sellers, and financial sponsors, and running discrete deal workstreams independently
• Commercial judgment and the composure to manage multiple deals on tight timelines
• Illinois bar admission or the ability to become admitted

What you get:

• A global M&A platform with Chicago sponsor clients and cross-border deal flow that a regional firm can't offer
• Sponsor, portfolio company, and venture reps in one seat, which is the most portable profile in corporate
• Cravath scale ($260K–$390K depending on class year), plus bonus eligibility