direct counselMillbrae, CA
Private Equity Associate Attorney
$260,000 – $390,000
Apply (opens in a new tab)Private Equity Associate Attorney
Private Equity Associate Attorney
direct counselMillbrae, CA
Apply for this role (opens in a new tab)yesterday
$260,000 – $390,000
Private Equity Associate Attorney Direct Counsel is seeking a Private Equity Associate Attorney to join the Northern California platform of a premier global law firm. This is an outstanding opportunity for a 3–6 year corporate associate attorney with substantial private equity and M&A experience to advise private equity sponsors, strategic buyers, and sellers on sophisticated middle-market and large-cap transactions. The role offers significant deal ownership, direct client exposure, and the opportunity to work on high-profile acquisitions, exits, and strategic sponsor-backed transactions in one of the most active private equity markets in the country. Locations Palo Alto, California; San Francisco, California
Position Overview
The ideal candidate will have:
3–6 years of private equity and M&A experience, with the majority of their practice focused on:
- Sponsor-side acquisitions
- Platform and add-on acquisitions
- Portfolio company transactions
- Strategic buy-side and sell-side M&AExit transactions
- General corporate governance matters
This role is best suited for an associate who has meaningful experience running deals and managing sophisticated transaction workstreams from LOI through closing.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead and manage private equity and M&A transactions from inception through closing
Draft and negotiate:
- Purchase agreements
- Equity documents
- Ancillary agreements
- Governance documents
- Disclosure schedules
- Coordinate due diligence, specialist teams, and closing processes
- Advise sponsors, portfolio companies, and strategic buyers on transaction structuring
- Manage deal execution timelines, client communications, and internal workstreams
- Support negotiations, client calls, and high-level strategic transaction discussions
- Work closely with attorneys across:
- TaxFinanceEmploymentAntitrustExecutive compensation
- Assist with portfolio company operational and governance matters as needed
Qualifications:
- J.D. from an accredited law school3–6 years of private equity and M&A experience
- Significant experience at an Am Law 100 or comparable leading corporate law firm preferred
- Strong deal management and drafting experience
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills
- Superior academic credentials
- Strong business judgment and client management skills
- California bar admission required
CompensationBase salary range: $260,000 – $390,000. Compensation will depend on experience, office, qualifications, and overall fit.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal attorney will be: a strong sponsor-side deal runner, comfortable leading multiple concurrent transactions, experienced in both buy-side and sell-side processes, commercially sophisticated and business-minded, strong in fast-paced, high-volume deal environments, interested in long-term growth within a premier private equity platform.
Why This Opportunity:
This is an excellent opportunity for a NorCal PE/M&A associate looking for strong sponsor deal flow, sophisticated strategic transactions, and meaningful autonomy on a globally recognized platform. The Palo Alto / San Francisco market positioning makes this especially compelling for laterals targeting high-growth sponsor and tech-adjacent deal work.
Also on the board Same function, level within a rung
Level
Senior
Salary
$260,000 – $390,000
Location
Millbrae, CA
Occupation
Lawyers
Industry
Offices of Lawyers
Posted
yesterday