Attorney

Hawkstone Search; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawkstone Search represents a specialised boutique law firm servicing private equity funds, which is expanding its Dallas presence and moving into a new permanent office later this year. The firm rewards ambitious lawyers by offering equity opportunities as it grows post-PE investment and invests heavily in AI capabilities and top-tier talent.

The role gives you the chance to manage M&A transactions from inception to close, work alongside accomplished PE practitioners, and play a pivotal part in

Qualifications

• J.D. admitted to TX
• Experience on US M&A with PE, ideally Big Law
• Strong communication and teamwork skills

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) transactions
• Advise private equity sponsors on growth equity, debt financing, and fund formation
• Support all stages of the PE lifecycle, from formation to acquisition and exit
• Collaborate on specialty practice areas including tax, IP, cybersecurity and data privacy, executive compensation, labor and employment, and environmental

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Education

J.D. (2023 and earlier, Tier 1 law school)

Job description

Fresh off the back of private equity investment, our client being a specialised boutique law firm built to service PE funds, has entered a new phase of growth…

Already recognised as one of the market's most respected boutiques within the PE space by the likes of Legal500, they're now scaling aggressively and investing heavily across AI capabilities and top-tier talent acquisition.

They're truly looking to change the industry.

This presents a rare opportunity to join a firm at a pivotal point in its journey, working alongside some of the most accomplished practitioners in PE while playing a key role in shaping the next chapter of the business.

This includes its growing Dallas presence, which is moving into a new, permanent office later this year.

The numbers speak for themselves.

Over the last 12 months, the Dallas office has grown its Attorney headcount by 40%+, part of 20%+ growth firm-wide, whilst Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 recognition across M&A / Private Equity has further strengthened the firm's standing in the market.

With 5 offices across three of the largest legal and financial markets in the US across California, New York, and Texas, the firm is committed to further expanding its capacity to serve its rapidly compounding client base.

This position offers a unique opportunity for 'Big Law' Attorneys, eager to control M&A transactions from inception to close, to focus on business development mentorship from day 1.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and execute complex Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) transactions
• Advise private equity sponsors and strategic clients on growth equity, debt financing, and fund formation
• Support all stages of the private equity lifecycle, from fund formation to acquisition and exit, across various industries
• Collaborate on specialty practice areas, including tax, intellectual property, cybersecurity and data privacy, executive compensation, labor and employment, and environmental

What they need

• J.D. (2023 and earlier, Tier 1 law school), admitted to practice law in TX
• Previous experience working on M&A matters across the US, with a focus on private equity matters, preferably within a Big Law environment
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem‑solving skills
• Commitment to a collaborative, inclusive, and client‑centric work environment
• A background in competitive or collegiate athletics is a strong plus

What's on offer

• Compensation above Cravath Scale + additional bonuses for performance
• A clearer, faster path to equity (opportunity to gain a genuine stake in the firm's enterprise value following its recent PE investment, not just an annual profit split)
• Modern alternative to Big Law. Escape the mega‑deal focus, high premiums, and diluted attention of large firms while working on sophisticated, high‑impact transactions
• Join a firm with 40%+ headcount growth in Dallas over the last 12 months, offering significant opportunities for professional development and leadership
• Collaborative leadership, work alongside industry leaders (all coming from an AM20 background) and contribute to a team shaping the future of mid‑market private equity

To be eligible for this opportunity, you must be able to commit to 3 days a week in‑office at their Dallas office.

All inquiries will be handled confidentially.