Associate / Attorney - Emerging Companies + Venture Capital

Watts & Associates Recruitment; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 305,000 - 385,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Watts & Associates is partnering with a top AM Law 50 firm in Austin, TX to recruit an Emerging Companies + Venture Capital Associate Attorney (Mid-Level).

The role focuses on advising high-growth startups and investors through the life cycle, including venture financings, startup counseling, and selective M&A matters, with a strong emphasis on mentorship and career development.

Qualifications

• Advising startups and emerging growth companies on seed and venture financings.
• Experience with standard venture financing documentation.
• Some domestic M&A experience involving startups and investors.

Responsibilities

• Advise startups and emerging growth companies on venture financings and related corporate matters.
• Handle seed and venture capital financings, including transactions using standard venture financing documentation.
• Support private and public financing matters for growth companies.
• Assist on domestic M&A transactions involving startups and investors.
• Manage client and counsel relationships with strong commercial judgment.
• Take increasing responsibility for transaction execution and client service.

Skills

Venture capital

Emerging companies

M&A

Startups

Client management

Legal drafting

Negotiation

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Texas Bar admission or eligibility

Job description

Emerging Companies + Venture Capital Associate Attorney (Mid-Level) | AM Law 50 | End-To-End Emerging Company And Venture Work | $305,000–$385,000 + benefits and bonuses | Austin, TX

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded AM Law 50 law firm seeking a Emerging Companies + Venture Capital Associate Attorney (Mid-Level) to join its Austin, TX office.

This Austin role offers a mid-level associate the opportunity to advise high-growth companies and investors across the emerging-company lifecycle. The practice combines venture financings, startup counseling, selected M&A work and broader strategic support, with meaningful responsibility and a strong emphasis on professional growth.

Company Highlights

• International full-service platform with strong technology, life sciences and innovation-sector capabilities.
• Emerging companies practice advises high-growth businesses and investors from formation through major financing and exit events.
• Austin lawyers can draw on a broader cross-office transactional and sector platform.
• Formal mentoring, continuous training and transparent development expectations support associate growth.
• Career-development resources extend to advancement, networking and long-term professional planning.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is an opportunity to join a sophisticated practice offering:

• High-value emerging companies and venture capital work.
• Company-side and investor-side exposure across seed and venture financings.
• Opportunity to advise businesses through multiple stages of growth.
• Meaningful responsibility on transactions, including selected startup-focused M&A matters.
• Formal mentoring, continuous training and career-advancement support.

The Role

The successful attorney will support and lead key components of Emerging Companies + Venture Capital Associate Attorney (Mid-Level) matters, including:

• Advise startups and emerging growth companies on venture financings and related corporate matters.
• Handle seed and venture capital financings, including transactions using standard venture financing documentation.
• Support private and public financing matters for growth companies.
• Assist on domestic M&A transactions involving startups and investors.
• Manage client and counsel relationships with strong commercial judgment.
• Take increasing responsibility for transaction execution and client service.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking a candidate with:

• Four to six years of significant emerging companies and venture capital experience.
• Required experience advising startups and emerging growth companies on seed and venture financings.
• Experience with standard venture financing documentation in a sophisticated corporate practice.
• Some domestic M&A experience involving startup companies and investors.
• Strong business judgment, communication, problem-solving and client-management skills.
• Admission to the Texas Bar or eligibility to waive in for an Austin-based practice.
• JD required; ideally attained from a T25 law school. Candidates from a T50 law school will also be considered where they achieved honors.

Preferred / advantageous: Experience or demonstrated affinity for technology, life sciences and/or consumer-product businesses is advantageous.

Compensation and Benefits

The Austin base salary range is $305,000–$385,000. Comprehensive benefits and bonuses.