Corporate Attorney - M&A and Private Equity

State Bar of Michigan; Michigan; On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Bar admission reimbursement

Job summary

Varnum seeks an attorney with substantial transactional experience to join its Corporate Practice Team in Michigan. The role focuses on leading high-stakes M&A and private equity deals for closely held businesses, PE sponsors, and growth companies, with a client-centered, team-based approach.

The attorney will collaborate with partners and associates across corporate matters, guiding negotiations, due diligence, and closing, while mentoring junior team members and contributing to business

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• 7–10 years of relevant law firm experience in mergers & acquisitions and private equity.
• Demonstrated first-chair experience leading complex transactions and driving close.

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, portfolio companies, and closely held businesses through all deal stages.
• Draft, review, and negotiate acquisition agreements, ancillary documents, and a wide range of contracts.

Skills

First-chair

M&A experience

Private equity

Drafting & negotiation

Deal management

Client counseling

Independent work

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.

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.