Mergers and Acquisitions Associate

Hawkstone Search; New York (NY); On-site; USD 260,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

AM50 Law Firm in New York is seeking an associate to lead complex domestic and cross-border M&A and PE transactions from structuring through closing.

The role provides exposure to multibillion-dollar transactions with top sponsors, financial institutions and global businesses, plus regular partner and client contact and strong opportunities for advancement within a growing practice.

Qualifications

• J.D. class of 2023 or earlier, with 2+ years of high-quality M&A/PE experience.
• Training from a leading international or Am Law corporate practice.
• Strong drafting, negotiation and end-to-end deal execution skills.
• Excellent commercial judgement, communication and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex domestic and cross-border M&A and PE transactions from structuring through closing.
• Advise leading sponsors, portfolio companies and strategic buyers on acquisitions, disposals and exits.
• Draft and negotiate key transaction documents while owning diligence and critical deal workstreams.
• Coordinate specialist teams, manage clients and counterparties, and supervise junior Associates.
• Deliver clear, commercial advice on complex legal and transactional risks.

Skills

M&A/PE experience

Drafting

Negotiation

Deal execution

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

J.D. degree (2023 or earlier)

Job description

Salary: $300,000–$450,000 base + enhanced bonus structure

My client, a AM50 Law Firm is looking for 2020 to 2024 J.D. range to join its growing M&A practice in their New York office.

The team advises private equity sponsors, financial institutions and global businesses on complex domestic and cross-border transactions, including acquisitions, carve-outs, take-privates, public company deals and exits.

The practice is Chambers ranked and was ranked among the global M&A advisers by both deal count and value in Bloomberg’s 2025 league tables.

Associates can expect substantive responsibility, regular partner and client contact, and strong opportunities for progression within a growing practice.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead complex domestic and cross-border M&A and PE transactions from structuring through closing.
• Advise leading sponsors, portfolio companies and strategic buyers on acquisitions, disposals and exits.
• Draft and negotiate key transaction documents while owning diligence and critical deal workstreams.
• Coordinate specialist teams, manage clients and counterparties, and supervise junior Associates.
• Deliver clear, commercial advice on complex legal and transactional risks.

What they need:

• J.D. class of 2023 or earlier, with 2+ years of high-quality M&A/PE experience.
• Training from a leading international or Am Law corporate practice.
• Strong drafting, negotiation and end-to-end deal execution skills.
• Excellent commercial judgement, communication and attention to detail.

What’s on offer:

• $260,000–$450,000 base salary, depending on class year, plus discretionary bonus.
• Access to multibillion-dollar, cross-border and award-winning transactions.
• Work with leading private equity sponsors, financial institutions and global businesses.
• Meaningful responsibility and direct client exposure within an elite international platform.
• First-class benefits, professional development and a collaborative, inclusive culture.