Labor & Employment Transactional Associate

LJW Solutions; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 260,000 - 390,000; Full time

Job summary

LJW Solutions in Chicago seeks a Labor & Employment Transactional Associate (3–6 years) to join its global practice. The role blends labor and employment law with corporate transactions, including exposure to M&A and private equity matters.

You will advise clients on employment aspects of transactions, draft executive employment agreements, conduct due diligence, and manage restrictive covenants and post‑transaction workforce issues, collaborating with private equity sponsors and deal teams.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of post-JD legal experience.
• Background in labor and employment law, corporate transactions, or both.
• Experience supporting M&A or private equity transactions.
• Experience conducting labor and employment due diligence.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills.
• Experience with executive employment agreements and restrictive covenants.

Responsibilities

• Conduct labor and employment due diligence in M&A and private equity transactions.
• Draft and negotiate executive employment agreements.
• Prepare separation, severance and retention agreements.
• Advise on restrictive covenants, non-competes and non-solicitation provisions.
• Support corporate and private equity teams throughout the transaction lifecycle.
• Coordinate with corporate, benefits, tax and other specialists on complex transactions.
• Assist with post-acquisition workforce integration.

Skills

Labor & Employment Knowledge

M&A/Private Equity Exposure

Drafting & Negotiation

Due Diligence

Executive Employment Agreements

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Illinois Bar admission

Job description

Labor & Employment Transactional Associate (3–6 years)

$260,000 – $390,000

The Opportunity

A leading international law firm is seeking a Labor & Employment Transactional Associate to join its Chicago office.

This is a particularly strong opportunity for an attorney whose practice sits at the intersection of labor and employment law and corporate transactions, with significant exposure to M&A and private equity matters.

The role will involve advising corporate clients, private equity sponsors and deal teams on the employment aspects of complex transactions, while also handling executive arrangements, restrictive covenants and post-transaction workforce matters.

The firm will consider candidates coming from either a labor and employment background or a corporate transactional practice, provided they have meaningful experience handling employment-related issues arising from M&A and private equity transactions.

The Role

The successful attorney will advise clients on a broad range of transactional labor and employment matters, including:

• Conducting labor and employment due diligence in connection with M&A and private equity transactions.
• Identifying and advising on employment-related risks arising from acquisitions and investments.
• Drafting and negotiating executive employment agreements.
• Preparing separation, severance and retention agreements.
• Advising on restrictive covenants, non-competes and non-solicitation provisions.
• Supporting corporate and private equity teams throughout the transaction lifecycle.
• Advising on executive mobility and employment-related transition issues.
• Assisting with post-acquisition workforce integration.
• Reviewing employment-related provisions within purchase agreements and other transaction documents.
• Working directly with private equity sponsors, portfolio companies and corporate clients.
• Coordinating with corporate, benefits, tax and other specialist attorneys on complex transactions.

The Candidate

The successful candidate should have:

• 3–6 years of relevant post-JD legal experience.
• A background in labor and employment law, corporate transactions, or a combination of both.
• Meaningful experience supporting M&A and/or private equity transactions.
• Experience conducting labor and employment due diligence.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills.
• Experience with executive employment, separation or restrictive covenant agreements.
• The ability to identify employment-related risks within corporate transactions.
• Strong commercial judgment and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to manage multiple matters within a fast-paced transactional environment.
• A JD from an accredited US law school.
• Active Illinois Bar admission and good standing.

Candidates currently practicing within a sophisticated national, international or highly regarded regional law firm will be particularly well suited to the role.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Join a highly regarded national Labor & Employment practice.
• Work on sophisticated M&A and private equity transactions.
• Significant exposure to private equity sponsors and corporate deal teams.
• Build a specialist practice combining employment law and corporate transactions.
• Strong client contact and responsibility.
• Opportunity to work across multiple practice groups on complex matters.
• Competitive base salary of $260,000 – $390,000.
• Excellent benefits and professional development support.
• Strong long-term progression opportunities within a major law firm platform.