Our client is expanding its San Francisco team advising companies and investors across the Innovation Economy. This opportunity is for an associate with approximately 3–7 years of experience who wants to work across the private capital lifecycle, take meaningful ownership of sophisticated transactions, and build direct relationships with clients.
The Work
- Lead transaction execution and manage deal processes for venture capital and growth equity financings, representing both companies and investors.
- Draft and negotiate principal transaction documents for primary and secondary equity investments, preferred equity financings, and strategic or crossover investments.
- Advise on structured liquidity transactions and complex cross-border private capital matters.
- Support private and venture-backed company M&A, and counsel growth-stage businesses on corporate governance and day-to-day corporate matters.
- Work with clients from formation and seed financings through late-stage investments, strategic transactions, IPO preparation, and exits.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across offices and practices, including M&A, private equity, capital markets, finance, tax, executive compensation, intellectual property, antitrust, and regulatory.
- Build day-to-day relationships with founders, executives, boards, and investment professionals; mentor junior associates and contribute to business development.
- Work on transactions involving technology, AI, life sciences, fintech, enterprise software, digital infrastructure, and consumer companies.
What You Bring
- Approximately 3–7 years of experience at a leading law firm.
- Significant experience in venture capital, growth equity, private company financings, emerging companies, private equity, or related corporate transactions.
- Strong drafting and negotiation skills, including experience preparing and negotiating principal transaction documents.
- Ability to manage transaction execution, deal processes, and project timelines.
- Strong academic credentials and excellent written and oral communication skills.
- California bar admission or eligibility for admission.
- An entrepreneurial approach and interest in contributing to client relationships and the growth of a practice.
- Experience in venture financings, private equity, M&A, or capital markets is relevant to the practice.
Why Consider It
The practice brings together emerging companies work and a broad private capital platform, with matters spanning company formation, financings, growth investments, liquidity, strategic transactions, and exits.
Associates are trusted with substantial transaction responsibility and direct client contact, while collaborating with experienced lawyers across a wide range of corporate and related practices.
Compensation & Benefits
The client also describes comprehensive benefits and well-being resources; an estimated base salary range is $260,000–$420,000, based on the 2026 Cravath scale, with discretionary bonuses potentially available.
Confidentiality
This is a confidential opportunity. Contact Advocates Legal Recruiting to discuss the role and receive additional details about the client and team. All inquiries will be handled confidentially.