M&A / Private Equity Associate

BCL Legal; New York (NY); On-site; USD 190,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonuses

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement savings

Family leave

Wellness programs

Professional development

Job summary

BCL Legal represents a premier international law firm seeking an M&A/Private Equity Associate to join its New York office. The ideal candidate will handle sophisticated transactions, collaborate with top practitioners, and contribute to deal execution and client service.

Applicants should have 3–6 years of M&A/PE experience, strong academics, and the ability to manage significant responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school with strong academic credentials.
• Admission to the New York Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly.
• Approximately 3–6 years of experience at a leading law firm focused on M&A and/or private equity transactions.

Responsibilities

• Assist in structuring, negotiating, and executing private equity and M&A transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate acquisition, merger, purchase, and related investment documents.
• Conduct and manage due diligence reviews and coordinate diligence workstreams across practice areas.
• Support sponsors and portfolio companies in platform acquisitions, add-ons, exits, recapitalizations, and growth investments.
• Coordinate transaction processes, including signing and closing activities.
• Work directly with clients, opposing counsel, lenders, and other stakeholders.
• Manage junior associates and specialist teams as appropriate.
• Assist with governance, post‑closing integration, and general transactional counseling.
• Contribute to client development efforts and thought leadership initiatives.

Skills

Drafting

Negotiation

Analytical

Project management

Education

J.D. (US law school)

Job description

M&A / Private Equity Associate (New York)

About the Firm

We are representing a leading international law firm with a premier corporate practice and a longstanding reputation for advising sophisticated clients on their most significant transactions. The firm is recognized for its collaborative culture, market‑leading deal work, and commitment to developing exceptional legal talent. Attorneys work closely with partners and clients on complex matters across a broad range of industries, gaining meaningful responsibility early in their careers.

About the Practice

The firm's Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity practice advises private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, public companies, boards of directors, and strategic acquirers on a wide range of domestic and cross‑border transactions. The team regularly handles leveraged buyouts, platform and add‑on acquisitions, minority and growth investments, divestitures, recapitalizations, joint ventures, and other strategic corporate transactions. Associates benefit from direct client exposure and involvement in all stages of the deal lifecycle, working on high‑profile transactions for many of the market's most active investors and corporate clients.

Position Overview

A premier international law firm is seeking a talented M&A / Private Equity Associate to join its New York office. This position offers the opportunity to work on sophisticated private equity and M&A transactions alongside highly regarded practitioners in a dynamic and fast‑paced environment.

The ideal candidate will have strong transactional experience, excellent academic credentials, and a demonstrated ability to manage significant responsibilities on complex matters. Associates will play a key role in transaction execution, client service, and business development initiatives while working as part of collaborative deal teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the structuring, negotiation, and execution of private equity and M&A transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate acquisition agreements, merger agreements, purchase agreements, investment documents, disclosure schedules, and ancillary transaction documents.
• Conduct and manage legal due diligence reviews and coordinate diligence workstreams across multiple practice areas.
• Support private equity sponsors and portfolio companies in platform acquisitions, add‑on acquisitions, exits, recapitalizations, and growth investments.
• Coordinate transaction processes, including signing and closing activities.
• Work directly with clients, opposing counsel, financial advisors, lenders, and other transaction stakeholders.
• Manage junior associates and specialist teams as appropriate.
• Assist with corporate governance, post‑closing integration matters, and general transactional counseling.
• Contribute to client development efforts and thought leadership initiatives.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school with strong academic credentials.
• Admission to the New York Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly.
• Approximately 3-6 years of experience at a leading law firm focused on M&A and/or private equity transactions.
• Significant experience representing private equity sponsors, strategic buyers, sellers, or portfolio companies in complex transactions.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, analytical, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously and thrive in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to client service and teamwork.

Preferred Experience

• Leveraged buyouts and sponsor‑side transactions.
• Cross‑border M&A matters.
• Minority investments, growth equity transactions, and joint ventures.
• Experience coordinating with tax, finance, executive compensation, antitrust, and other specialist teams.

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated base salary range for this position is expected to align with the prevailing market compensation structure for major New York law firms and will depend on class year, qualifications, and experience. In addition to base salary, associates may be eligible for discretionary bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement savings, family leave, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The firm is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.