First-Chair M&A & Private Equity Attorney

Varnum LLP; Kansas; On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Varnum LLP seeks an attorney with substantial transactional experience to join its Corporate Practice Team in Michigan. This role provides first-chair support on complex M&A and private equity transactions for closely held businesses, private equity sponsors, and growth companies.

The attorney will lead deal structuring, due diligence, drafting, and negotiations, while advising on venture capital financings and other corporate matters.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of relevant law firm experience in mergers & acquisitions and private equity
• First-chair experience leading complex transactions, managing deal teams and driving negotiations to closing
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills with clear, client-ready transactional documents and analysis
• Experience representing private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, or family-owned enterprises preferred

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 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

Skills

First-chair experience

Drafting & negotiating skills

Deal coordination

Client relationship management

Due diligence

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

Varnum LLP seeks an attorney with substantial transactional experience to join its Corporate Practice Team in Michigan. This role provides first-chair support on complex M&A and private equity transactions for closely held businesses, private equity sponsors, and growth companies.

The attorney will lead deal structuring, due diligence, drafting, and negotiations, while advising on venture capital financings and other corporate matters.