Corporate M&A Associate

Stevens & Bolton LLP; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international law firm is seeking a Corporate M&A Associate to join its London team. The role includes managing private and cross-border M&A transactions, drafting and negotiating key documents, and mentoring junior team members. Candidates should have significant Corporate M&A experience, strong drafting and negotiation skills, and an undergraduate degree. This position offers the chance to work in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, handling diverse and complex transactions while upholding high professional standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in a broad Corporate M&A role is essential.
• Understanding of the Takeover Code or public M&A is beneficial, but not required.
• Able to take ownership of workstreams and lead transactions.

Responsibilities

• Manage private M&A transactions including share and asset sales.
• Oversee joint ventures and shareholder arrangements.
• Lead cross-border deals for international corporates.

Skills

Corporate M&A experience

Strong drafting skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Team player

Education

Undergraduate degree (2:1 or equivalent)

Qualified solicitor/barrister in England & Wales

Job description

4-7 PQE Corporate M&A Associate (Public & Private M&A, Joint Ventures, Cross-Border Transactions)

A leading international law firm is seeking a strong Corporate M&A lawyer to join its London team. The role offers exposure to a broad mix of public and private M&A, joint ventures, complex cross-border transactions and general corporate advisory work, within a collaborative and ambitious practice.

Responsibilities

• Private M&A (share and asset sales)
• Joint ventures and shareholder arrangements
• Cross-border deals for international corporates, funds and investors
• Preparation of preliminary documents (NDAs, exclusivity agreements, term sheets)
• Due diligence and disclosure
• Drafting and negotiating principal transaction documents
• Structuring and advising on share and asset deals
• Leading and managing due diligence workstreams
• Drafting and negotiating key transaction documents
• Running disclosure processes
• Advising on JV structures and commercial arrangements
• Supporting client relationship management and business development
• Supervising, mentoring and developing junior team members
• Managing multiple transactions simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Upholding the highest standards of client care, confidentiality and professionalism

Qualifications

• Experience in a broad Corporate M&A role (essential)
• Understanding of the Takeover Code or public M&A is beneficial, but not required
• Capital markets experience welcome (preferably ECM)
• Comfortable taking ownership of workstreams and leading transactions
• Strong drafting, negotiation and analytical skills
• Ability to supervise and mentor juniors
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Commercial mindset and pragmatic approach
• Self‑motivated, proactive and able to manage multiple deadlines
• A collaborative team player with a flexible, hands‑on approach
• Foreign‑qualified lawyers are welcome, provided they have London market experience and have taken substantial responsibility rather than compartmentalised roles
• Undergraduate degree (2:1 or equivalent)
• Qualified solicitor/barrister in England & Wales or overseas qualified with relevant London experience