Corporate M&A Associate (Baltimore)

DLA Piper LLP (US); Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 235,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

DLA Piper is seeking an associate to join our corporate group in its Baltimore office. The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years of experience handling merger and acquisition transactions for private and public companies, with emphasis on drafting principal acquisition agreements and direct negotiation.

Pharmaceutical sector experience is preferred. A JD from an accredited law school and Maryland bar admission are required, with experience at a national AmLaw 100 firm highly valued.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of corporate M&A experience, including drafting principal acquisition agreements
• Experience in the pharmaceutical sector is preferred
• Admitted to practice in Maryland or eligible to waive admission

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough legal research and analysis to support transaction preparation
• Draft contracts and related correspondence with high accuracy
• Assist/manage high-volume transactions from inception to closing, including negotiations
• Build and maintain internal and external client relationships with professionalism
• Collaborate with lawyers and business professionals on transaction strategies and negotiations
• Ensure compliance with legal standards and stay updated on changes in law

Skills

Mergers & Acquisitions

Legal research

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Corporate law

Attention to detail

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Tools

None

Job description

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary

DLA Piper is seeking an associate to join our corporate group in its Baltimore office. The candidate must have a minimum of 2 years of experience executing merger and acquisitions transactions for private and public companies, with a desired emphasis on drafting principal acquisition agreements and direct negotiation thereof. Experience in the pharmaceutical sector is preferred. Candidates must have direct and applicable big law firm experience, immediately transferable skills and strong academic backgrounds from nationally recognized schools.

Responsibilities

• Legal Research: Conduct thorough and comprehensive legal research and analysis to support transaction preparation and strategy.
• Legal Writing: Draft well‑written, error free, and reasoned legal documents, including contracts and other correspondence.
• High Volume Transaction Assistance and Management: Assist/Manage a variety of complex cases/transactions from inception to resolution including negotiations, closings, and other legal activities while continuously demonstrating strong judgement.
• Internal/External Client Interaction: Build, maintain, and cultivate strong internal and external client relationships by providing support, regular updates, advice, and addressing concerns promptly and with the utmost professionalism.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other lawyers and business professionals to support and develop innovative transaction strategies to achieve the most favorable outcomes for internal and external clients. Attend, support, and participate in high‑level negotiations.
• Compliance: Ensure rigorous compliance with legal standards and regulations, staying abreast of changes in law and legal precedents.
• Professional Development: Proactively seek out and participate in ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance your legal knowledge, practice technology, management, and leadership skills.
• Firm Citizenship and Community Involvement: Engage in and contribute to firm programs and initiatives; civic and professional organizations; pro bono work by providing legal assistance to underserved and underrepresented communities.

Desired Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to handle a high volume of cases and pivot to manage changing priorities.
• Strong research, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Good business and professional judgment.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Conceptual thinking.
• Persuasive communication.
• Management skills.

Minimum Education

JD Degree from an accredited law school.

Certifications

Admitted to practice in the state of Maryland.

Minimum Years of Experience

2 years of corporate experience. Direct and applicable AmLaw 100 firm and experience preferred.

Essential Job Expectations

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties;
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner;
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product;
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required;
• Foster positive work relationships;
• Comply with all firm policies and practices;
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on‑screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed;
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast‑paced environment;
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment

The firm’s work location requirements may be modified at the firm’s discretion. Hybrid – Regular in‑office presence with some flexibility for work‑from‑home.

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at‑will nature of employment.

Pay Transparency

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $235,000 – $310,000 per year depending on the candidate’s geographic market location. The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k). Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

Equal Opportunity Statement

DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Get to Know Us

We invite you to learn more about us. Please visit the following pages for more information about DLA Piper.

Laterals

Lateral Partners; Law Students; Business Professionals

Lawyer Positions Only

If you do not currently have an agreement with us and would like us to consider candidates, please submit a blind candidate profile to the email address listed in the applicable job posting.