Corporate Associate – Venture Capital & Emerging Companies

Aplin; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 235,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid model

Mentorship and professional growth

Job summary

A leading Am Law 100 law firm in San Francisco is seeking a Corporate Associate with 2–4 years of transactional experience to handle sophisticated, high-profile deals across technology, AI, life sciences, financial services and energy sectors.

You will work with partners and senior associates on significant matters, gain hands-on deal responsibility, and receive dedicated mentorship and professional development to support growth.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor or LLM from ABA-accredited law school is required.
• Must be admitted or eligible for California Bar admission.
• 2–4 years of transactional experience in mergers & acquisitions, securities, venture capital or private equity.

Responsibilities

• Advise and support clients on mergers & acquisitions, securities matters and other complex corporate transactions.
• Work on significant transactions involving companies, investors, and entrepreneurs across various industries.
• Collaborate with partners and senior associates on deal execution and client matters.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

JD/LLM from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Join a leading Am Law 100 law firm as a Corporate Associate in its growing San Francisco office. This is an exciting opportunity for a business-minded attorney with 2–4 years of transactional experience to work on sophisticated, high-profile deals across the technology, AI, life sciences, financial services and energy sectors. With meaningful client exposure, hands-on deal responsibility and strong mentorship, this role offers an excellent platform for professional growth and career advancement.

About Our Client

Our client is a leading Am Law 100 law firmwith offices across the United States and Canada, the firm advises leading companies, entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders on complex legal and business matters.

About The Opportunity

The firm is seeking a Corporate Associate to join its expanding corporate practice in San Francisco. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney looking to build their transactional practice while working alongside experienced partners and senior associates on significant corporate matters.

The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience, meaningful client exposure and the opportunity to take on substantive deal responsibilities from day one. Associates benefit from dedicated mentorship and professional development, with a clear path toward increasing responsibility, client relationship management and leadership.

This position is particularly attractive for candidates interested in working with innovative businesses and investors across some of the most exciting industries in the market.

About The Position

The Corporate Associate will join the firm’s corporate practice and support a broad range of transactional matters, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, securities and venture capital transactions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advising and supporting clients on mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financings, securities matters and other complex corporate transactions.
• Working on significant transactions involving companies, investors and entrepreneurs across a variety of industries.
• Collaborating with partners and senior associates on deal execution and client matters.
• Supporting the development and maintenance of strong client relationships.
• Managing competing priorities, transaction deadlines and multiple responsibilities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Contributing to the continued growth and success of the firm’s San Francisco corporate practice.

The Requirements

• JD or LLM from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Must be admitted or eligible for admission to the California Bar.
• 2–4 years of transactional experience in mergers and acquisitions, securities, venture capital and/or private equity.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines and manage competing responsibilities.
• Professionalism and confidence when interacting with clients and colleagues.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and contribute within a team-oriented environment.

Nice to Have

• Experience working on private equity transactions.
• A business-minded approach and interest in developing long-term client relationships.
• An interest in technology, AI, life sciences, financial services or energy sectors.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $235,000 – $310,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Bonus: Eligible for performance-based bonuses.
• Benefits: Comprehensive employee benefits package.
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid model
• Professional Development: Mentorship and opportunities for increasing responsibility, client exposure and career advancement.

At Aplin — together with our brands CompuStaff, Impact Recruitment, and Vantix Systems — we connect great people with great organizations across North America. We believe diverse teams build stronger companies, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We use AI tools to assist in a fair and efficient matching process, helping our recruiters connect the right people with the right opportunities. To be considered, applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, including holding any required permits. Our recruitment services are always free for job seekers.Accommodation is available upon request throughout all stages of the recruitment process.