M&A & Energy Transactional Associate

McGuireWoods LLP; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

McGuireWoods LLP's Corporate Transactions Group in Houston seeks a talented associate to join its team. The role offers exposure to complex M&A, energy transactions, and private equity work, with close collaboration alongside senior attorneys.

The successful candidate will have 3–5 years of experience in corporate transactions, strong drafting and writing skills, and a track record in cross‑border matters. The firm emphasizes professional development and mentorship in a collegial environment.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school with a strong academic record.
• 3–5 years of corporate transactions experience in a sophisticated national law firm.
• Excellent drafting and writing skills; ability to draft key transaction documents.

Responsibilities

• Assist in structuring, financing, negotiation, and execution of mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions.
• Draft and negotiate purchase agreements and closing documents.
• Support private equity and cross‑border transactions, including LBOs and add-on investments.
• Advise on domestic and cross‑border matters from deal inception through closing.
• Support energy transactions, including power asset acquisitions and project development.
• Conduct due diligence and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Assist with general corporate advisory matters for private company clients.

Skills

Drafting

Interpersonal communication

Legal writing

Oral communication

Technology platforms (Harvey AI)

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Tools

Harvey AI

Job description

Job DescriptionMcGuireWoods' Corporate Transactions Group is seeking a talented associate to join its team in Houston.

Job DescriptionMcGuireWoods' Corporate Transactions Group is seeking a talented associate to join its team in Houston. About The FirmWe are a sophisticated national law firm with a dynamic and growing corporate practice. Our team handles complex transactions across a range of industries, with particular depth in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and the energy sector — including power, renewable energy, and oil and gas. About The RoleWe are seeking a talented mid-level associate to join our corporate transactions team. The successful candidate will work closely with two attorneys whose complementary practices offer broad deal exposure:

• Partner, Jay Hughes, whose practice spans public and private mergers and acquisitions, energy transactions, and financings across the industrial, oil and gas, power, and renewable energy industries. Jay regularly advises publicly traded and privately held companies on matters ranging from multi-million-dollar deals to transactions valued at fifteen billion dollars, including business acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, project development, and power asset transactions involving nuclear, gas-fired, solar, wind, and other alternative fuel sources.
• Senior Associate, Devin Crisanti, whose practice focuses on advising private equity firms, independent sponsors, and private companies on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and other business combinations, as well as general corporate matters. A significant portion of Devin's work involves Canada-U.S. cross-border transactions, and he brings the perspective of having served as general counsel to an international company. Devin's practice spans a variety of industries and offers associates substantial exposure to general corporate and private equity deal work.

This is an exceptional opportunity to gain hands‑on experience across a diverse range of sophisticated corporate deals — from energy transactions to private equity acquisitions and cross‑border M&A — while developing deep expertise in multiple high‑demand practice areas. Associates will be involved in every stage of the deal lifecycle, from structuring and negotiation through closing. Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the structuring, financing, negotiation, and execution of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other corporate transactions across a variety of industries
• Draft and negotiate key transaction documents, including purchase agreements, ancillary closing documents, and related instruments
• Support private equity and independent sponsor transactions, including leveraged buyouts, platform acquisitions, and add‑on investments
• Advise legal and business teams from deal inception through closing on both domestic and cross‑border matters
• Support energy‑related transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions of power assets, joint ventures, and project development matters
• Conduct due diligence and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams across practice areas
• Assist with general corporate advisory matters for private company clients

Why Join Us?

• Work alongside attorneys with complementary practices spanning M&A, private equity, energy transactions, cross‑border deals, and general corporate matters
• Gain exposure to high‑value, complex deals across multiple industries — not limited to a single sector
• Develop versatile skills in both general corporate work and specialized energy transactions
• Join a collegial, collaborative team committed to professional development and mentorship

McGuireWoods, one of the world’s leading law firms, has provided legal solutions to corporate, individual and nonprofit clients since 1834. Along with excellent benefits, McGuireWoods offers our attorneys a competitive salary with hours and merit bonus opportunities and billable hours credit for pro bono work. Continually establishing new initiatives and enhancing existing efforts, we focus on meaningful support for our lawyers in their careers. Our Applicant Disclosures describe your rights. Our Privacy Statement describes how we will process and safeguard your personal data.

Job Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school with a strong academic record.
• 3‑5 years of experience in corporate transactions, preferably in a sophisticated national law firm environment.
• Excellent writing and drafting skills, including demonstrated experience drafting key transaction documents.
• Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills, with the ability to interact with and advise both legal and business teams.
• Experience in the energy industry — including power, renewable energy, and oil and gas — is beneficial but not required.
• Admission to the relevant state bar (or eligibility for admission).
• Willingness and desire to work with innovative technology platforms. Our attorneys leverage Harvey AI to accelerate research, streamline document drafting, and enhance analytical work, allowing associates to focus on higher‑value strategic thinking and client engagement.

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