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 exitsPurchase and merger agreements, LLC and LP agreements, and ancillary transaction documentsEquity financings, minority investments, and joint ventures for growth stage and privately held companiesDay-to-day portfolio company counseling and general corporate matters for fund clientsWhat you bring:3–6 years of private equity or M&A experience at a leading firm, with public and private company repsExperience representing buyers, sellers, and financial sponsors, and running discrete deal workstreams independentlyCommercial judgment and the composure to manage multiple deals on tight timelinesIllinois bar admission or the ability to become admittedWhat you get:A global M&A platform with Chicago sponsor clients and cross-border deal flow that a regional firm can't offerSponsor, portfolio company, and venture reps in one seat, which is the most portable profile in corporateCravath scale ($260K–$390K depending on class year), plus bonus eligibilityApply here directly or send your resume confidentially to srushing@laterallink.com