M&A Associate

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

Benefits offered by this job

Mentoring program

Professional development

Job summary

Buchanan in Chicago is seeking an M&A Associate to join its market-leading team. You will work on complex public and private transactions, cross-border deals, and high-value restructurings, with early client exposure and responsibility.

The ideal candidate is in the 2nd–4th year of practice with strong drafting, negotiation, and commercial judgement, and a track record in leading deal execution while collaborating across practice groups.

Qualifications

• 2nd–4th year associate with strong M&A experience at a leading law firm.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
• Strong technical and commercial judgement.
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and managing transactions.
• Outstanding academic credentials.

Responsibilities

• Handle public and private M&A transactions end-to-end.
• Assist with private equity acquisitions and exits.
• Draft and negotiate transaction documents and due diligence.
• Coordinate cross-border deals with multiple stakeholders.
• Support deal execution and client-facing workstreams.
• Work with partners and clients to drive results.

Skills

M&A experience

Drafting and negotiation

Technical and commercial judgement

Stakeholder management

Team collaboration

Education

Outstanding academic credentials

Job description

An elite global law firm is looking for an M&A Associate to join its market-leading team in Chicago.

This is an opportunity to join one of the most highly regarded M&A practices in the U.S., advising public and private companies, private equity sponsors, portfolio companies and strategic investors on some of the market’s most significant domestic and cross-border transactions.

Working alongside nationally recognised partners, you’ll advise on complex acquisitions, disposals, mergers, carve-outs, joint ventures and corporate restructurings across a broad range of industries. The team is known for handling sophisticated, high-value matters and offering associates early responsibility and direct client exposure.

The Role

• Public and private mergers and acquisitions
• Private equity acquisitions and exits
• Strategic corporate transactions
• Joint ventures and minority investments
• Corporate restructurings and reorganisations
• Cross-border transactions
• Due diligence, drafting and negotiating transaction documents, and managing deal execution

Working closely with partners and clients, you’ll take ownership of key workstreams while collaborating with colleagues across finance, tax, capital markets, antitrust and other specialist practice groups.

As you progress, you’ll be given increasing responsibility, opportunities to build client relationships and the chance to mentor junior associates.

About You

The firm is seeking associates in the 2nd–4th year with strong M&A experience gained at a leading law firm.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience advising on complex public and private M&A transactions
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills
• Strong technical and commercial judgement
• Experience managing transactions and coordinating multiple stakeholders
• Outstanding academic credentials
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

What’s on Offer?

• Salary of $260k–$390k
• Exposure to market-leading domestic and international transactions
• Early responsibility and direct client contact
• Outstanding mentoring and professional development
• A collaborative, high-performing culture
• The opportunity to build your career within one of the world’s leading corporate practices