Emerging Growth & Venture Capital Associate (Chicago)

DLA Piper LLP (US); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 235,000 - 435,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

DLA Piper is seeking an associate to join its Emerging Growth & Venture Capital group in Chicago. The role focuses on working with emerging growth companies and institutional investors, requiring at least 2 years’ experience in venture capital, M&A, and day-to-day corporate matters.

The position offers hybrid work with regular in-office presence and some work-from-home flexibility, and emphasizes client interaction, rigorous research, and professional development within a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• JD degree from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice in the state in which they are officING.
• Minimum 2+ years of Emerging Growth/Venture Capital experience at AmLaw 100 firms; experience with M&A and advising emerging growth companies on day-to-day corporate matters.

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 briefs, motions, contracts, and correspondence.
• Transaction Assistance and Management: Manage complex transactions from inception to resolution including preparations for trials, negotiations, closings, and related activities.
• Internal/External Client Interaction: Build and maintain strong client relationships with timely updates and professional communication.
• Collaboration: Work with lawyers and business professionals to support strategy and favourable outcomes for clients.

Skills

Legal Research

Legal Writing

Client Interaction

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Communication

Management skills

Education

JD Degree from an accredited law school

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 its Emerging Growth & Venture Capital group. The associates will be focusing primarily on working with emerging growth companies and the institutional investors that support them. The ideal candidates will have at least two years’ experience representing both institutional investors and issuers in venture capital financings, as well as experience with M&A transactions and advising emerging growth companies on a variety of day-to-day corporate matters. This position is open to our Chicago office.

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 briefs, motions, contracts, and correspondence.
• Transaction Assistance and Management: Manage a variety of complex transactions from inception to resolution including preparing for trials, negotiations, settlements, 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 case/transaction strategies to achieve the most favourable outcomes for internal and external clients.
• Attend, support, and participate in high‑level legal activities including court hearings, depositions, negotiations, trials, etc.
• 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 organisations; pro bono work by providing legal assistance to underserved and underrepresented communities.

Desired Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Strong research, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Good business and professional judgement.
• Excellent organisational 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 in which they are officing.

Minimum Years of Experience

2+ years of Emerging Growth/Venture Capital experience. Direct and applicable AmLaw 100 firm and experience preferred.

Essential Job Expectations

• 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.

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

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 organise and present the information in a standardised 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 - $435,000 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.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Relocation

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

DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, 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.

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.