IP Technology Transactions Associate

Buchanan; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 260,000 - 365,000; Full time

Job summary

Buchanan, a top-ranked US law firm, seeks a mid-level Technology & IP Transactions Associate to join its San Francisco office. The role spans standalone commercial technology matters and IP-intensive transactional work on high-value deals, with opportunities to shape strategy for leading technology clients.

You will co-lead IP diligence, draft and negotiate complex technology agreements, and advise on data, licensing, and competitive issues alongside elite partners in corporate privacy and

Qualifications

• 4–8+ years of experience in technology transactions at a leading US or international firm.
• Significant exposure to M&A and venture-backed company representation.
• Strong technical fluency across software licensing, data, and IP ownership structures.
• Ability to independently draft and negotiate complex agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate IP diligence in strategic and sponsor-backed M&A.
• Structure and negotiate technology-heavy acquisition agreements.
• Advise on carve-outs, separation planning, and transitional IP arrangements.
• Analyse ownership, licensing chains, and open-source exposure in deal contexts.

Skills

4–8+ years experience

Education

California Bar admission or eligibility

Job description

Overview

A top-ranked US law firm with a dominant presence in the technology sector is seeking a mid-level Technology & IP Transactions Associate to join its San Francisco office. This practice is a core strategic pillar of the firm, advising category-defining technology companies, leading venture capital funds, and growth-stage platforms on their most business-critical commercial and IP-driven transactions. The team is regularly lead counsel on the technology components of high-value M&A and complex strategic deals across the innovation economy.

What You’ll Do

Practice Scope

The role spans both standalone commercial technology matters and IP-intensive transactional work, including:

Transactional Technology Support

• Lead and coordinate IP diligence in strategic and sponsor-backed M&A
• Structure and negotiate technology-heavy acquisition agreements
• Advise on carve-outs, separation planning, and transitional IP arrangements
• Analyse ownership, licensing chains, and open-source exposure in deal contexts

Commercial & Strategic Agreements

• SaaS, cloud, and enterprise platform agreements
• Complex inbound and outbound licensing structures
• Joint development, collaboration, and strategic partnership agreements
• Data monetisation and data-sharing arrangements
• Channel, reseller, and distribution frameworks

Emerging & High-Growth Sectors

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms
• Fintech and payments infrastructure
• Life sciences and biotech collaborations
• Digital infrastructure and next-generation software ecosystems
• You will work alongside elite corporate, privacy, and regulatory partners on transactions that routinely shape market practice

About You

• 4–8+ years of experience in technology transactions at a leading US or international firm
• Significant exposure to M&A and venture-backed company representation
• Strong technical fluency across software licensing, data, and IP ownership structures
• Ability to independently draft and negotiate complex agreements
• Commercially pragmatic and comfortable advising sophisticated in-house teams
• California Bar admission (or eligibility)
• This role suits a lawyer who wants to be viewed as a strategic advisor to innovative companies not merely a contract technician

Why Apply?

• Consistently ranked among the top technology transactions practices nationally
• Deep client penetration across venture, growth equity, and public technology markets
• Lean teams with meaningful associate responsibility
• Clear advancement pathway
• Cravath-scale compensation ($260k–$365k depending on class year)