Associate Counsel (M&A and Corporate Governance) (Manager)

Grant Thornton International Ltd; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a full-time Associate Counsel specializing in M&A and corporate governance. This role involves advising on all stages of M&A transactions, providing strategic legal advice, and managing relationships with external partners. Join a diverse organization that values meaningful work and offers a supportive environment for professional growth. With a commitment to work-life integration and a culture of appreciation, this position promises to be both challenging and rewarding. If you are ready to make a significant impact in a dynamic legal landscape, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in corporate law focusing on M&A.
• Strong drafting and negotiating skills for complex transactions.

Responsibilities

• Advise on all stages of M&A transactions and provide strategic legal advice.
• Manage relationships with external counsel and coordinate transaction aspects.

Skills

Mergers and Acquisitions

Corporate Governance

Contract Drafting

Negotiation Skills

Legal Analysis

Interpersonal Skills

Attention to Detail

Organizational Skills

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

Associate Counsel (M&A and Corporate Governance) (Manager)

Chicago, IL, United States (Hybrid)

Job Description

Risk, Regulatory and Legal Affairs (RRLA) Associate Counsel (M&A and Corporate Governance)

We strive to deliver the Grant Thornton Experience to our people as part of our day-to-day work. As a diverse organization with a growing list of esteemed clients, Grant Thornton offers you a broad range of opportunities to find the right fit.

The Grant Thornton Experience supports our people by:

• Offering meaningful and challenging work
• Recognizing contributions and paying competitive compensation
• Creating an environment of connection and appreciation
• Fostering a culture of pride enhanced by our reputation in the marketplace

Associate Counsel (M&A and Corporate Governance)

Grant Thornton is seeking a full-time attorney for the firm’s in-house legal department, focused on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and corporate governance.

Responsibilities:

• Advise on all stages of M&A transactions, including structuring, due diligence, negotiations, drafting and reviewing transaction documents, and post-closing integration.
• Provide strategic legal advice to firm leadership on potential mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other business development activities.
• Manage relationships with external counsel, consultants, and other third-party advisors in connection with M&A transactions.
• Coordinate various aspects of M&A transactions, including running signing and closing checklists and ensuring that timelines are met.
• Review and negotiate complex legal documents, including purchase agreements and ancillary transaction documents, confidentiality agreements, and financing-related agreements.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including finance, tax, compliance, and operations, to ensure alignment on deal objectives and smooth transaction execution and integration.
• Conduct legal and risk assessments to identify potential issues and provide risk mitigation strategies.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies during the M&A process.
• Stay current on changes in M&A and corporate law, industry trends, and best practices to advise the organization effectively.
• Support the Office of the Corporate Secretary on projects as assigned.
• Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admission to a state bar (in good standing).
• 3-5 years of experience practicing in corporate law with a strong focus on mergers and acquisitions, either in a law firm or corporate legal department.
• Well-versed in the mechanics of running a transaction from inception to closing.
• Hands-on drafting and negotiating experience for complex M&A transactions.
• Experience advising on a variety of M&A transactions, including due diligence, deal structuring, negotiations, and post-closing integration.
• Understanding of corporate governance and familiarity with securities laws, antitrust regulations, and other relevant legal frameworks.
• Strong interpersonal skills, a high degree of maturity, and a proven willingness to accept significant responsibility and manage a challenging workload within a fast-paced environment.
• Contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Ability to analyze complex legal and business issues and provide practical, solutions-oriented advice.
• Attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing priorities.
• Experience with international M&A transactions or cross-border deals preferred.
• Familiarity with private equity and other alternative investment structures preferred.

About Us

At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better.

In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.

In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.

Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.

About the Team

The team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:

• Whether it’s your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work in the way that best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm’s hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least two days per week, either at a GT office or client site.

• Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household.

• We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different — and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at www.gt.com/careers

• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at www.gt.com/careers

Here’s what you can expect next: If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at www.gt.com/careers.

Job Info

• Job Identification 112201
• Job Category RRLA
• Posting Date 04/02/2025, 02:11 PM
• Degree Level Doctorate Degree
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations Chicago, IL, United States (Hybrid)