Associate / Attorney - Life Sciences Transactions

Watts & Associates Recruitment; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Wellbeing programs

Pro bono opportunities

Job summary

Watts & Associates is seeking a Life Sciences Transactions Associate in San Francisco to join a premier Am Law 20 platform. You will lead drafting and negotiation across licensing, collaboration and financing matters for biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical‑device clients, with close partner collaboration.

The role offers exposure to high‑value deals, in‑house counsel interaction, and cross‑practice teamwork across corporate, IP and regulatory disciplines.

Qualifications

• Approximately 4–8 years of life‑sciences transactions, corporate or technology‑transactions experience.
• Experience with sophisticated commercial, licensing or strategic transaction documents.
• Understanding of life‑sciences business and intellectual‑property considerations.
• Strong drafting, analytical and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple negotiations and timelines.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Strong academic credentials and sophisticated law‑firm experience.
• Admission to the California Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate licensing and collaboration agreements.
• Support acquisitions, financings and strategic investments.
• Advise on research, development and commercialisation arrangements.
• Assist with intellectual‑property and commercial diligence.
• Counsel on manufacturing, supply and distribution arrangements.
• Coordinate corporate, patent, regulatory and tax input.
• Work directly with business‑development and in‑house legal teams.
• Manage transaction processes and multiple negotiation workstreams.
• Provide practical advice on commercial and strategic risk.

Skills

Life sciences transactions

Drafting & negotiation

Legal analysis

Education

Admission to the California Bar

Job description

Life Sciences Transactions Associate | San Francisco, CA | Firm Policy | 4–8 Years' Experience | $260,000–$420,000 Base + Benefits & Bonuses | Am Law 20

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 20 global full-service law firm seeking a Life Sciences Transactions Associate to join its San Francisco, CA office.

This opportunity offers strategic collaborations, licensing, financing, M&A and other transactions across the life‑sciences ecosystem for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical‑device and other research‑driven companies and investors within a nationally recognised life sciences transactions practice. The successful attorney will work closely with partners and senior lawyers, take ownership of substantive matters and gain exposure to high-value work, important clients and cross‑practice collaboration.

Company Highlights

• Am Law 20 global platform recognised for elite transactional, regulatory and litigation capabilities
• Work for leading public companies, private‑equity sponsors, financial institutions and innovative businesses
• Recognised strength in life sciences transactions and complementary corporate, regulatory or litigation disciplines
• Established teams advising biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical‑device and other research‑driven companies and investors on complex, high‑value matters
• Comprehensive departmental bootcamps and substantive practice training
• Access to partner mentors, confidential coaching and extensive continuing legal education
• Integrated global teams and opportunities to collaborate across practices and offices
• Strong reputation for legal excellence, commercial judgment and high‑impact advocacy
• Substantive pro bono opportunities and long‑term support for varied career paths

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is an opportunity to join a well‑established life sciences transactions practice offering:

• Sophisticated life‑sciences collaborations and strategic transactions
• Exposure across licensing, financing, M&A and commercialisation matters
• Meaningful ownership of drafting and negotiation workstreams
• Direct access to partners, business teams and in‑house counsel
• Cross‑practice collaboration across corporate, IP and regulatory disciplines
• Strong scientific, commercial and strategic development
• A credible route to long‑term advancement in a specialised practice

The Role

The successful attorney will support and lead key components of life sciences transactions matters, including:

• Draft and negotiate licensing and collaboration agreements
• Support acquisitions, financings and strategic investments
• Advise on research, development and commercialisation arrangements
• Assist with intellectual‑property and commercial diligence
• Counsel on manufacturing, supply and distribution arrangements
• Coordinate corporate, patent, regulatory and tax input
• Work directly with business‑development and in‑house legal teams
• Manage transaction processes and multiple negotiation workstreams
• Provide practical advice on commercial and strategic risk

The role offers direct collaboration with partners, senior lawyers and clients, together with increasing responsibility and opportunities to take ownership of important workstreams.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking a life sciences transactions associate with:

• Approximately 4–8 years of life‑sciences transactions, corporate or technology‑transactions experience
• Experience with sophisticated commercial, licensing or strategic transaction documents
• Understanding of life‑sciences business and intellectual‑property considerations
• Strong drafting, analytical and organisational skills
• Ability to manage multiple negotiations and transaction timelines
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills
• Strong academic credentials and sophisticated law‑firm experience
• Admission to the California Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly

Experience with biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical‑device or digital‑health clients is strongly preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $260,000–$420,000, depending on class year, experience, location, qualifications and other relevant factors.

• bonus eligibility
• comprehensive health and insurance benefits
• retirement support
• paid time off
• professional‑development resources
• wellbeing programmes
• pro bono opportunities