Associate

Firm Overview

A leading international law firm with a premier reputation in private equity, M&A, restructuring, and asset management, the firm advises sponsors, investors, and companies on their most complex and high-value transactions. The firm is consistently recognized for its deep sponsor relationships, sophisticated deal structuring, and ability to handle transactions across the full investment lifecycle. Attorneys collaborate seamlessly across offices, with lean deal teams that provide associates early responsibility and direct client exposure.

Private Equity & M&A Team Overview

The firm’s Private Equity and M&A practice is a core strategic focus and advises many of the world’s most prominent private equity sponsors, alternative asset managers, and their portfolio companies. The Washington, DC team works closely with colleagues in New York and other offices on buyouts, exits, recapitalizations, carve-outs, add-on acquisitions, and GP-led secondary transactions. The practice is known for handling complex, sponsor-driven transactions involving sophisticated governance, equity structuring, and negotiated risk allocation.

Associates in the DC office play an integral role on deal teams and are expected to develop strong commercial judgment, technical excellence, and the ability to manage workstreams independently.

Position Summary

The Private Equity M&A Associate will support sponsor-side and portfolio-company transactions across a range of industries. The role offers significant responsibility, exposure to senior deal professionals, and the opportunity to work on market-leading private equity transactions from inception through closing.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate primary and ancillary transaction documents, including purchase agreements, equity documents, and disclosure schedules
• Manage due diligence processes and coordinate with specialists across tax, finance, antitrust, and regulatory teams
• Support transaction structuring, including equity rollovers, management incentive arrangements, and sponsor governance rights
• Advise on add-on acquisitions, carve-outs, and exit transactions for PE-backed portfolio companies
• Interact directly with clients, opposing counsel, and other advisors

Qualifications

• JD from a top-tier law school
• 2–5 years of experience in private equity and/or M&A transactions at a leading law firm
• Strong drafting, analytical, and project-management skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Prior sponsor-side experience preferred, but not required

Why This Role

• Market-leading private equity deal flow
• Lean teams with early responsibility and visibility
• Sophisticated sponsor and investor clients
• Strong mentorship and long-term career development opportunities
• Collegial, high-performance culture