Corporate Attorney - M&A and Private Equity

Alaska Department of Law; Kalamazoo (MI); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Varnum is seeking an experienced attorney to join its Corporate Practice Team in Michigan, taking first-chair responsibility on complex M&A and private equity transactions for diverse clients including closely held businesses and PE sponsors. The role emphasizes hands-on deal leadership, drafting, negotiation, and client counseling across venture capital and corporate matters.

Candidates should have 7–10 years of relevant legal experience, a JD from an accredited school, and strong drafting

Qualifications

• Substantial M&A and private equity transaction experience.
• First-chair leadership on complex deals with deal teams and due diligence.
• Strong drafting and negotiating capabilities for acquisition agreements and related documents.
• Experience representing PE sponsors, portfolio companies, or closely held businesses preferred.
• Bar admission in Michigan or willingness to become admitted.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage M&A transactions in a first-chair capacity, including structuring, due diligence, negotiation, and execution of buy-side and sell-side deals.
• Represent private equity sponsors and closely held businesses through all deal stages.
• Draft, review, and negotiate acquisition agreements and related commercial contracts.
• Advise on venture capital financings, joint ventures, and other business combination transactions.
• Counsel clients on day-to-day corporate matters including entity formation and governance.
• Manage client relationships and contribute to business development across the corporate practice.
• Mentor and collaborate with associates on transactional and corporate matters.

Skills

M&A experience

First-chair leadership

Negotiation skills

Drafting transactional documents

Relationship management

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

About the Firm and the Role

Varnum is seeking an attorney with substantial transactional experience to join its Corporate Practice Team in one of the firm's Michigan offices. This attorney will work closely with the firm's M&A and private equity practice, providing first-chair support on complex transactions for closely held businesses, private equity sponsors, emerging growth companies, and family-owned enterprises.

For over a century, Varnum attorneys have served the business community with a full array of corporate services, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, joint ventures, and general business counseling. Our attorneys have the expertise and experience to be trusted business advisors, and our multidisciplinary, team-based approach taps the talents of any attorney whose expertise fits a client's situation. Within this suite of corporate services, our M&A and private equity practice represents clients on buy-side and sell-side transactions of all types and sizes, both nationally and internationally. This is a unique opportunity to join a thriving law firm and a highly successful transactional practice.

Responsibilities

The attorney will collaborate with clients, partners, and associates across a range of transactional and corporate counseling matters. Responsibilities will include:

• Lead and manage M&A transactions in a first-chair capacity, including structuring, due diligence, negotiation, and execution of buy-side and sell-side deals
• Represent private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and closely held businesses through all stages of the deal cycle
• Draft, review, and negotiate acquisition agreements, ancillary transaction documents, and a wide range of commercial contracts and business agreements
• Advise clients on venture capital financings, joint ventures, and other business combination and investment transactions
• Counsel clients on day-to-day corporate matters, including entity formation, corporate structuring, governance, succession planning, and general business counseling
• Manage client relationships, serve as a primary point of contact on assigned matters, and contribute to business development efforts across the firm's corporate practice
• Mentor and collaborate with associates and other members of the corporate practice team on transactional and general corporate matters

Qualifications

Candidates should be prepared to step into a role where they will have an immediate impact on complex M&A and private equity transactions while also supporting the broader needs of the firm's corporate clients.

Candidates should have:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• At least 7–10 years of relevant legal experience at a law firm, with substantial experience in mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions
• Demonstrated first-chair experience leading complex transactions, including managing deal teams, coordinating due diligence, and driving negotiations to closing
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, with the ability to produce clear, client-ready transactional documents and legal analysis
• Experience representing private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, closely held businesses, or family-owned enterprises preferred
• Sound analytical judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to work through ambiguous legal and business issues to identify practical, risk-based solutions
• Ability to manage multiple matters, deadlines, and priorities while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and professionalism
• Ability to work independently on transactions and corporate matters with limited supervision
• Ownership of matters and follow-through on deadlines, details, and client commitments
• A collaborative, professional approach to working with clients, partners, associates, and staff

While preferable, an existing book of business is not required for this role. Admission to the Michigan bar is required. Candidates not licensed to practice in Michigan must be willing to become admitted to the Michigan bar. The firm will provide relocation support to candidates interested in moving to Michigan and reimburse expenses related to bar admission.