Corporate Associate

Hawkstone Search; New York (NY); On-site; USD 260,000 - 450,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Professional development

Collaborative culture

Elite international platform

Job summary

Hawkstone Search partners with a top AM50 law firm in New York seeking an associate with 2+ years of high‑quality M&A/PE experience and a JD class of 2023 or earlier. You will lead complex domestic and cross‑border transactions, advise sponsors and strategic buyers, and draft key deal documents from structuring through closing, while supervising junior associates.

The role offers a base salary of $260k–$450k with a discretionary bonus and access to elite cross‑border matters within a prestigious

Qualifications

• J.D. class of 2023 or earlier with 2+ years M&A/PE experience.
• Training from a leading international or Am Law corporate practice.
• Strong drafting and end-to-end deal execution skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex domestic and cross-border M&A and PE transactions from structuring through closing.
• Advise leading sponsors, portfolio companies and strategic buyers on acquisitions, disposals and exits.
• Draft and negotiate key transaction documents while owning diligence and critical deal workstreams.
• Coordinate specialist teams, manage clients and counterparties, and supervise junior Associates.
• Deliver clear, commercial advice on complex legal and transactional risks.

Skills

M&A/PE experience

Drafting & negotiation

Attention to detail

Commercial judgement

Communication skills

Education

J.D. (Class of 2023 or earlier)

Job description

Salary: $300,000–$450,000 base + enhanced bonus structure

My client, a AM50 Law Firm is looking for 2020 to 2024 J.D. range to join its growing M&A practice in their New York office.

The team advises private equity sponsors, financial institutions and global businesses on complex domestic and cross-border transactions, including acquisitions, carve-outs, take-privates, public company deals and exits.

The practice is Chambers ranked and was ranked among the global M&A advisers by both deal count and value in Bloomberg’s 2025 league tables.

Associates can expect substantive responsibility, regular partner and client contact, and strong opportunities for progression within a growing practice.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead complex domestic and cross-border M&A and PE transactions from structuring through closing.
• Advise leading sponsors, portfolio companies and strategic buyers on acquisitions, disposals and exits.
• Draft and negotiate key transaction documents while owning diligence and critical deal workstreams.
• Coordinate specialist teams, manage clients and counterparties, and supervise junior Associates.
• Deliver clear, commercial advice on complex legal and transactional risks.

What they need:

• J.D. class of 2023 or earlier, with 2+ years of high-quality M&A/PE experience.
• Training from a leading international or Am Law corporate practice.
• Strong drafting, negotiation and end-to-end deal execution skills.
• Excellent commercial judgement, communication and attention to detail.

What’s on offer:

• $260,000–$450,000 base salary, depending on class year, plus discretionary bonus.
• Access to multibillion-dollar, cross-border and award-winning transactions.
• Work with leading private equity sponsors, financial institutions and global businesses.
• Meaningful responsibility and direct client exposure within an elite international platform.
• First-class benefits, professional development and a collaborative, inclusive culture.