Charleston Corporate M&A Associate

K&L Gates; Charleston (SC); Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 255,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage

Dental Insurance

401(k) Retirement plan

Paid Time Off

Professional Development opportunities

Flexible Spending Accounts

Hybrid/Remote Work Opportunities

Job summary

K&L Gates in Charleston seeks an experienced midlevel associate to join their Corporate M&A team. The ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of relevant experience, particularly in private equity transactions. This role demands strong M&A skills, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to high-quality client service. Notably, candidates will work closely with seasoned lawyers who provide mentoring. A competitive salary package ranging between $225,000 and $255,000 per year is offered along with comprehensive benefits including medical coverage, professional development opportunities, and a hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of Corporate M&A experience with private equity preferred.
• Strong academic credentials and excellent communication skills required.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate merger agreements and related documents.
• Conduct due diligence reviews for M&A transactions.
• Advise clients on corporate matters and business issues.

Skills

M&A experience

Negotiation skills

Due diligence

Client advising

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Job Description

At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hard‑working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced midlevel associate to join the Corporate M&A team in our dynamic Charleston office. The ideal candidate will have three to five years of Corporate M&A experience with private equity transaction experience being preferred.

Areas of Experience and Expertise

• Strong M&A experience, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating merger agreements, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, letters of intent and related agreements
• Experience with partnership agreements, joint ventures and limited liability company operating agreements
• Substantial responsibility for closing M&A and related transactions
• Conducting due diligence reviews
• Advising clients on general corporate/entity matters and business matters

Candidates will work closely with experienced lawyers who will provide active mentoring and opportunities to assume increasing levels of responsibility and client contact. Candidates must be self‑starters who possess the ability to work independently and as part of a team. We require strong academic credentials, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to providing the highest quality client service.

Please contact Marley McLaughlin, Principal Legal Recruiter, at [e-mail] with any questions.

Compensation

Base compensation: $225,000 – $255,000 per year.

The compensation salary for this position will be determined during the interview process and will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to prior experience, relevant expertise, current business needs, and market factors.

About the Firm

K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents in more than 40 offices. We have experienced dramatic growth in the past decade and now rank among the largest U.S. based law firms in the world. We take pride in constantly striving for innovation, imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit. We create big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done, guiding our clients through their most complex issues in a variety of industry sectors and across multiple regions of the world. Our firm is committed to creating a legacy for each other, the firm, our clients, and the communities in which we serve. We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals.

Benefits

• Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage (including a Health Savings Account feature)
• Pre‑tax Commuting Benefits
• Dental Insurance
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement plan
• Health Advocacy Services
• Short‑ and Long‑term Disability Protection
• Identity Protection/Restoration and Fraud Insurance
• Life Insurance (including Basic, Supplemental, Spouse, Child, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment)
• Student loan refinancing options and access to a student loan concierge service
• Paid Time Off (Generally, paid time off is undefined with 3‑4 weeks usually acceptable)
• Addiction Resources
• Parental Leave (24 weeks of which 12 are paid; short‑term disability may provide additional paid time off)
• Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services
• Paid Holidays (12)
• Employees also may be eligible to receive bonuses and certain expense reimbursements
• Family Building Benefits
• Pro Bono Opportunities
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Professional Development and CLE Credit Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bar Expense Reimbursement
• 529 Deductions
• Relocation
• Accident Insurance
• Balanced Hours Program
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Ramp‑Up/Ramp‑Down Program
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Employee Referral Program
• Bereavement Leave
• Hybrid/Remote Work Opportunities
• Back‑up Child/Elder Care and access to a caregiving concierge
• Perks including: Technology, Entertainment, and Travel Discount Program
• Wellness Program
• All other benefits (such as leaves of absence) required by law

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Firm is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Firm that employment decisions shall be based on merit, qualifications and competence. Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by virtue of a person’s race (including traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as afros, braids, locks, and twists), religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, gender, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, familial status, domestic violence victim status, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy governs all aspects of employment including, without limitation, recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, assignment, and dismissal. In addition, it is the Firm’s policy to provide an environment that is free of prohibited harassment of any kind including, without limitation, that which is based on sex, race, age, disability, ethnic background, or any other category protected by law (including the categories listed above). The Firm complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact [e-mail].

Notice: We participate in E‑Verify in certain Firm locations for purposes of verifying employment eligibility.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.