Assistant General Counsel, M&A

Coherent Corp.; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. is seeking a senior M&A lawyer to act as the primary legal lead for corporate development and integration across multiple transactions.

You will oversee legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other strategic deals, advising stakeholders on risks and governance. The role requires strong drafting, due diligence, and cross-functional collaboration, with responsibility for post-closing integration and playbook development.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active bar in at least one US jurisdiction.
• At least 6 years of law firm experience focused on mergers & acquisitions and strategic transactions, preferably for public companies.
• Experience drafting transaction documents for complex deals and leading due diligence.
• Strong understanding of corporate law, deal structuring, governance, and post-closing implementation.
• Ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously and drive execution with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Company’s primary M&A lawyer supporting corporate development and integration teams across multiple transactions.
• Lead the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, joint ventures, equity investments, and other strategic transactions.
• Advise on legal, regulatory, governance, financial, and business risks.
• Draft, review, and negotiate LOIs, NDAs, exclusivity, purchase agreements, disclosure schedules, and other transaction documents.
• Manage due diligence, identify material risks, and coordinate findings with stakeholders and advisors.
• Support approvals and governance processes, including resolutions and board materials.
• Address antitrust, foreign investment, regulatory, employment, data privacy, IP, and other issues in transactions.
• Support integration planning, separation matters, and post-closing activities.
• Develop transaction templates and playbooks to improve deal execution.
• Monitor milestones, deadlines, and closing deliverables.

Skills

In house M&A experience

Public company governance

Strong drafting skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Ability to manage multiple deals

Education

Juris Doctor (US)

Job description

Job Description

• Serve as the Company’s primary M&A lawyer supporting corporate development and integration teams across multiple transactions.
• Responsible for the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, joint ventures, equity investments, and other strategic transactions.
• Advise corporate development, and other stakeholders on critical legal, regulatory, governance, financial, and business risks associated with such transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate letters of intent, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, exclusivity agreements, purchase agreements, disclosure schedules, transition services agreements, joint venture agreements, and other transaction documents.
• Manage legal due diligence, identify material legal risks, and coordinate diligence findings with internal stakeholders and external advisors.
• Support transaction approvals and governance processes, including preparation of resolutions, written consents, and board and committee materials as needed.
• Manage antitrust, competition, foreign investment, regulatory, employment, benefits, data privacy, intellectual property, and other legal issues arising in connection with strategic transactions.
• Support integration planning, separation matters, and post-closing legal implementation activities.
• Develop and refine transaction templates, playbooks, and internal processes to improve efficiency and consistency in deal execution.
• Monitor transaction milestones, critical deadlines, and closing deliverables.

Job Description

• Serve as the Company’s primary M&A lawyer supporting corporate development and integration teams across multiple transactions.
• Responsible for the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, joint ventures, equity investments, and other strategic transactions.
• Advise corporate development, and other stakeholders on critical legal, regulatory, governance, financial, and business risks associated with such transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate letters of intent, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, exclusivity agreements, purchase agreements, disclosure schedules, transition services agreements, joint venture agreements, and other transaction documents.
• Manage legal due diligence, identify material legal risks, and coordinate diligence findings with internal stakeholders and external advisors.
• Support transaction approvals and governance processes, including preparation of resolutions, written consents, and board and committee materials as needed.
• Manage antitrust, competition, foreign investment, regulatory, employment, benefits, data privacy, intellectual property, and other legal issues arising in connection with strategic transactions.
• Support integration planning, separation matters, and post-closing legal implementation activities.
• Develop and refine transaction templates, playbooks, and internal processes to improve efficiency and consistency in deal execution.
• Monitor transaction milestones, critical deadlines, and closing deliverables.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the Company’s primary M&A lawyer supporting corporate development and integration teams across multiple transactions.
• Responsible for the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, joint ventures, equity investments, and other strategic transactions.
• Advise corporate development, and other stakeholders on critical legal, regulatory, governance, financial, and business risks associated with such transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate letters of intent, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, exclusivity agreements, purchase agreements, disclosure schedules, transition services agreements, joint venture agreements, and other transaction documents.
• Manage legal due diligence, identify material legal risks, and coordinate diligence findings with internal stakeholders and external advisors.
• Support transaction approvals and governance processes, including preparation of resolutions, written consents, and board and committee materials as needed.
• Manage antitrust, competition, foreign investment, regulatory, employment, benefits, data privacy, intellectual property, and other legal issues arising in connection with strategic transactions.
• Support integration planning, separation matters, and post-closing legal implementation activities.
• Develop and refine transaction templates, playbooks, and internal processes to improve efficiency and consistency in deal execution.
• Monitor transaction milestones, critical deadlines, and closing deliverables.

M&A and Strategic Transactions

• Serve as the Company’s primary M&A lawyer supporting corporate development and integration teams across multiple transactions.
• Responsible for the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, joint ventures, equity investments, and other strategic transactions.
• Advise corporate development, and other stakeholders on critical legal, regulatory, governance, financial, and business risks associated with such transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate letters of intent, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, exclusivity agreements, purchase agreements, disclosure schedules, transition services agreements, joint venture agreements, and other transaction documents.
• Manage legal due diligence, identify material legal risks, and coordinate diligence findings with internal stakeholders and external advisors.
• Support transaction approvals and governance processes, including preparation of resolutions, written consents, and board and committee materials as needed.
• Manage antitrust, competition, foreign investment, regulatory, employment, benefits, data privacy, intellectual property, and other legal issues arising in connection with strategic transactions.
• Support integration planning, separation matters, and post-closing legal implementation activities.
• Develop and refine transaction templates, playbooks, and internal processes to improve efficiency and consistency in deal execution.
• Monitor transaction milestones, critical deadlines, and closing deliverables.

Education & Experience

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• At least 6 years of law firm experience focused on mergers and acquisitions and other strategic transactions, preferably for public companies. In-house experience with a publicly traded, multinational company, with demonstrated responsibility for high-value domestic and cross-border transactions preferred.
• Significant experience drafting transaction documents for complex domestic and cross-border deals and leading due diligence.
• Strong understanding of corporate law, deal structuring, legal due diligence, corporate governance, and post-closing implementation.
• Ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously and drive execution across cross-functional teams.
• Excellent judgment, business-oriented counseling skills, and strong written and verbal communication skills.

Skills

• In house experience at a publicly traded, multinational company, preferably supporting corporate development.
• Experience supporting public company transactions and governance matters.
• Familiarity with securities law, disclosure obligations, and corporate governance requirements relevant to strategic transactions.
• M&A and strategic transaction expertise.
• Strong drafting skills.
• Corporate governance knowledge.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Process discipline and compliance focus.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with business leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Effective management and execution of M&A and other strategic transactions.
• Accurate, timely, and practical legal support for transaction structuring, negotiation, and closing.
• Strong coordination of internal stakeholders and external counsel across deal workstreams.
• Well-managed transaction timelines, approvals, and documentation.
• Sound risk identification and commercially effective legal guidance.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid office environment with regular use of computers, virtual meeting platforms, and standard office equipment.
• Will require domestic and international travel to support transactions, negotiations, regulatory matters, and integration activities.
• Must be able to work extended or nonstandard hours as needed to meet critical transaction deadlines across multiple time zones.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain seated and work at a computer for extended periods, with frequent use of a keyboard, mouse, and telephone.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and virtually and occasionally lift or carry office materials weighing up to 10 pounds.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality And Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of TrustCollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of IdeasAccountability – Own the Process and the OutcomeRespect – Recognize the Value in EveryoneEnthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail] .

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!