Private Equity Partner Attorney

Primeline Solutions LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm seeks an experienced M&A/Private Equity Partner to lead transactions in their thriving practice. This role demands 10+ years of legal expertise, a deep understanding of private equity dynamics, and a strong commercial mindset. The ideal candidate will have a portable book of business, with earnings between $600K and $1M. The firm offers a hybrid work model, competitive compensation, and a supportive environment for professional growth within the middle-market sector.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience as a practicing attorney in M&A/PE.
• Experience leading complex deals like LBOs and acquisitions.
• Must have a portable book of business, ideally $4-5M.

Responsibilities

• Lead private, middle-market M&A and private equity transactions.
• Serve as lead relationship partner to private equity sponsors.
• Deliver commercial, business-focused advice beyond legal analysis.

Skills

Private middle-market M&A experience

Commercial mindset

Collaborative working style

Negotiation skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

M&A/Private Equity Partner (Attorney)

Hybrid Work Policy: This firm offers a hybrid work model.

Location: New York / Chicago / Dallas

Salary: $600K – $1M+

Years of Experience: 10+ years

Bar Admission: Bar admission required

Job Details

This firm is seeking an experienced M&A/Private Equity Partner to join its combined M&A and Private Equity group, a core strategic practice handling billions of dollars in middle-market transactions annually. The group focuses exclusively on private, sponsor-driven M&A and advises private equity funds, portfolio companies, family offices, independent sponsors, and strategic buyers throughout the full investment lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead private, middle‑market M&A and private equity transactions, including LBOs, platform and add‑on acquisitions, auctions, minority investments, recapitalizations, and divestitures.
• Serve as lead relationship partner or senior deal counsel to private equity sponsors and portfolio companies.
• Deliver commercial, business‑focused advice that goes beyond legal analysis.
• Originate and grow repeat, sponsor‑driven client relationships.
• Build scalable practices that support multi‑lawyer deal teams.
• Leverage this firm’s embedded specialist model (tax, employment, finance, antitrust, IP) to drive efficient execution.
• Contribute to practice growth in priority sectors (e.g., health care, sports, business services, financial services, manufacturing).
• Mentor associates and junior partners and participate in firm leadership initiatives.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Significant experience in private, middle‑market M&A and private equity.
• Strong understanding of sponsor‑driven deal dynamics and competitive auction processes.
• Portable, scalable book of business typically $4–5M+ (flexibility to ~$3M for strategic fits).
• Practices aligned with the middle market and capable of supporting leverage.
• Commercial, pragmatic mindset with a collaborative working style.
• Stable career history; frequent short‑term lateral moves are viewed negatively.

What Differentiates This Firm

• Embedded specialists who work exclusively on transactions, delivering superior availability and market insight.
• Market‑intelligence‑driven business development, including proprietary data on compensation, equity structures, and financing terms.
• Deep experience across market cycles, with early tax and finance integration.
• Best‑in‑class lateral integration, including senior leadership involvement and long‑term business development support.

Why Candidates Should Join

• One of the firm’s core strategic practices with 80+ lawyers and active plans for meaningful growth.
• Focused exclusively on private, middle‑market M&A and sponsor‑driven work—no public‑company distractions.
• Handles billions of dollars in middle‑market transactions annually, enabling partners to compete for larger and more complex deals over time.
• Embedded specialist model: employment, tax, and other deal‑critical specialists sit inside the corporate group and work only on transactions.
• Specialists prioritize deal work and bring exceptional market intelligence from high transaction volume—no internal competition for resources.
• This structure leads to faster execution, stronger negotiating leverage, and better outcomes for clients.
• Strong platform for buyer‑side private equity work, with flexibility to add sell‑side strength where strategic.
• Especially strong in sports and health care, with interest in deepening other industry verticals.
• Opportunity to meaningfully strengthen New York corporate depth rather than being “one more partner.”
• Market‑intelligence‑driven business development: proprietary data on executive compensation, equity incentives, and financing terms used to win mandates and grow books.
• Partners show up to clients with insights competitors don’t have—not just legal advice.
• Highly commercial, practical culture—partners are expected to give clear recommendations, not just academic analysis.
• Appeals to sponsors and executives who want decisiveness and business judgment.
• Best‑in‑class lateral integration: formal integration plans, senior leadership involvement, and dedicated business development support for up to two years.
• Lateral success is actively monitored and adjusted, resulting in a high success rate.
• Compensation is individualized and competitive, with strong economics for partners who bring and grow business (typically ~35–38%).
• Flexible hours expectations that recognize the realities of senior partners with growing books.

Qualifications

Seniority: 10+ years of experience as a practicing attorney in M&A/PE.

Work Experience: Focus on private, middle‑market M&A/PE transactions; experience leading deals such as LBOs, acquisitions, and recapitalizations; advising PE sponsors, portfolio companies, or family offices; deep experience in healthcare or sports M&A/PE.

Education: Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

Hard Skills: Portable book of business of at least $3M; ideal book $4–5M+; requires multiple lawyers to support, not solo execution.

Soft Skills: Commercial mindset—provides business advice, not just legal analysis; collaborative, low‑ego, focused on long‑term platform building.