Austin – Strategic Transactions and Licensing Associate (Mid-Level)

Gunderson Dettmer; Austin (CO); On-site; USD 235,000 - 310,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm is seeking a Tech Group Associate to join their Strategic Transactions and Licensing group. This role, based in Austin, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, and San Francisco, offers early responsibility and direct client contact while working on technology, life sciences, and commercial agreements. Ideal candidates will have graduated between 2020 and 2023 with strong law firm experience and a commitment to developing their skills as technology transactions advisors. The salary range for this position is $235,000 - $310,000 depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Eagerness to work with startup and venture capital clients.
• Interest in developing a broad technology transactions skill set.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate licensing, partnering, and commercial agreements.
• Provide intellectual property and product counseling directly to clients.
• Manage transactions across all stages of clients' businesses.

Skills

Strategic and commercial contracts drafting

Deal management of venture financing

Intellectual property litigation or counseling

Education

JD class years: 2020-2023

Superior academic credentials from a top law school

Job description

We are looking for an associate to join our Strategic Transactions and Licensing group (the “Tech Group”) in Austin, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, or Ann Arbor*. Our practice offers early responsibility, direct client contact, and exposure to a wide variety of technology, life sciences, AI, financial services, and consumer products companies at all stages of growth. This role is well‑suited for associates who want to accelerate their development as technology and commercial counselors while working with a collaborative, high‑performing team.

As a Tech Group Associate, You Will

• Draft and negotiate licensing, partnering, and commercial agreements
• Provide intellectual property, privacy, and product counseling directly to clients
• Manage transactions across all stages of our clients’ businesses, from formation and financings to buy‑and‑sell‑side acquisitions and beyond.

We will consider strong candidates with significant experience in any of the following areas: (1) strategic and/or commercial contracts drafting and negotiation; (2) deal management of venture financing and/or M&A transactions; (3) intellectual property litigation or counseling.

Our Austin, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, and San Francisco Tech Group attorneys operate as a single “West Coast” practice, and subject to admission to the applicable state bar, candidates may elect to sit in any of these offices.

Job Requirements

• Eagerness to work with startup and venture capital clients.
• Interest in developing a broad, marketable technology transactions skill set and becoming a pragmatic, business‑oriented advisor.
• JD class years: 2020–2023 (or equivalent experience), with previous large law firm experience.
• Demonstrated experience in at least one of the following: commercial contracts drafting and negotiation, venture financing or M&A transactions, and/or IP litigation or counseling.
• A technical degree is not required but enthusiasm for, and a willingness to learn about, emerging technology is a must.
• Admission to the State Bar of California or Texas.
• Superior academic credentials from a top law school and excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills.

Salary Range

$235,000 - $310,000 (depending on class year and experience).

Additional Information

• For candidates interested in the Ann Arbor office, relocation may be possible after an initial period in another office.