Lead M&A Attorney - Remote, Cross-Border Deals

Cognizant; Phoenix (AZ); Remote; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off

401(k) plan and contributions

Long-term/Short-term Disability

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a seasoned M&A attorney to join its Corporate Development team. You will serve as the lead M&A deal attorney, handling structuring, due diligence, documentation, signing, closing, and integration for U.S.

and international transactions. Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating definitive transaction documents, guiding cross‑functional teams, supervising outside counsel, and advising internal stakeholders on strategy and risk.

Qualifications

• At least five years of experience in mergers and acquisitions.
• Undergraduate and J.D. degrees from well-recognized institutions.
• Top law firm experience focused on public and private mergers and acquisitions in the United States and across borders.
• Diverse and complex M&A transactional experience, with the ability to apply that experience in new settings.
• A deep understanding of the end-to-end M&A process, from deal inception through the integration of an acquired business.
• Strong project-management skills and attention to detail, including the ability to organize, plan, coordinate, and implement large, cross-functional projects.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Sound judgment, including the ability to identify red-flag issues and elevate them when required.
• The ability to contribute to discussions of general business issues and advise internal stakeholders in a manner consistent with the company’s goals and culture.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with the Corporate Development department and supporting specialists.
• A strong sense of ownership, a desire to create meaningful outcomes, and passion for work that serves a greater good for customers, communities, or global challenges.
• The embodiment of Cognizant’s values: Work as One, Dare to Innovate, Raise the Bar, Do the Right Thing, and Own It.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate definitive transaction documents, including sale and purchase agreements, disclosure letters, representations and warranties insurance documents, letters of intent, and confidentiality agreements.
• Serve as the lead M&A deal attorney, providing leadership and support for transaction structuring, due diligence, documentation, signing, and closing.
• Conduct legal due diligence on target companies and summarize key findings for the Corporate Development department and the company’s Investment Committee.
• Collaborate with specialists supporting Corporate Development, including tax, finance and accounting, HR, intellectual property, commercial contracting, ethics and compliance, privacy, IT, and security.
• Support Corporate Development’s integration group in developing and executing integration plans for acquired businesses.
• Coordinate and oversee the work of outside M&A counsel.
• Provide legal advice on matters related to Corporate Development and Cognizant’s M&A activities.

Skills

M&A experience

Project management

Communication skills

Independent work

Judgment

Cross-border experience

Education

Undergraduate degree

J.D. degree

Job description

Cognizant is seeking a seasoned M&A attorney to join its Corporate Development team. You will serve as the lead M&A deal attorney, handling structuring, due diligence, documentation, signing, closing, and integration for U.S.

and international transactions. Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating definitive transaction documents, guiding cross‑functional teams, supervising outside counsel, and advising internal stakeholders on strategy and risk.