Private Equity Associate [Mid-Level] @ Practice-Leading Law Firm

Whistler Partners; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Whistler Partners in Pittsburgh is seeking a mid-level private equity associate to join a mature corporate practice with flexibility across multiple offices. You will lead M&A transactions from start to finish, draft and negotiate complex deal documents, and directly engage clients, partners, and deal teams.

The ideal candidate has 3–7 years of M&A experience, PE-led transaction expertise, and a track record of independent work.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of M&A experience.
• Private equity–led M&A or PE fund acquisitions preferred.
• Ability to lead transactions from start to finish.
• Strong drafting and negotiating skills on complex docs.
• Excellent writing and client-service abilities.
• Independent work with clients and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Support private equity and M&A transactions, including leveraged buyouts, minority investments, going-private transactions, and distressed acquisitions.
• Draft and negotiate complex transactional documents.
• Lead key aspects of M&A transactions from start to finish.
• Work directly with clients, partners, colleagues, and deal teams.
• Support a broad corporate and private equity practice with continued growth momentum.
• Use legal technology tools to streamline research, drafting, and analytical work.

Skills

M&A

Private equity

Deal leadership

Drafting

Negotiation

Job description

Whistler Partners is partnering with an established corporate law firm looking to add a mid-level private equity associate in Pittsburgh, with flexibility across multiple offices.

The practice advises clients across a broad range of private equity transactions, including leveraged buyouts, independent sponsor deals, rollups, minority and junior capital investments, going-private transactions, and acquisitions of distressed companies.

The group also has meaningful fund formation experience, including work with emerging managers, general partners, and limited partners across private equity, growth equity, venture capital, mezzanine, and real estate funds.

Why This Role?

This is a strong opportunity for an M&A associate who wants private equity work inside a mature, well-resourced corporate practice with room to take ownership. The team is looking for someone who can help lead transactions from start to finish, draft and negotiate complex deal documents, and work directly with clients, partners, and deal teams. The firm has a broad private equity practice, a deep bench, and continued growth ambitions, making this a strong fit for someone who wants to keep building real deal judgment. The group also uses legal technology, including AI tools, to streamline research, drafting, and analysis so associates can spend more time on strategic work, transaction execution, and client engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Support private equity and M&A transactions, including leveraged buyouts, independent sponsor deals, rollups, minority investments, junior capital investments, going-private transactions, and distressed acquisitions.
• Draft and negotiate complex transactional documents.
• Lead key aspects of M&A transactions from start to finish.
• Work directly with clients, partners, colleagues, and deal teams.
• Support a broad corporate and private equity practice with continued growth momentum.
• Use legal technology tools to streamline research, drafting, and analytical work.

About You

• 3–7 years of mergers and acquisitions experience.
• Private equity-led M&A experience or acquisition work for private equity funds strongly preferred.
• Ability to lead M&A transactions from start to finish.
• Strong drafting and negotiating experience across complex transactional documents.
• Strong academic record.
• Excellent writing, oral communication, and client-service skills.
• Ability to work independently with clients and colleagues.
• Interest in using technology to support higher-value strategic work and client engagement.

TL;DR

Practice-leading law firm hiring a 3rd–7th year private equity associate in Pittsburgh, with flexibility across multiple offices. Strong fit for an M&A associate with PE-led transaction experience who can run deals, draft and negotiate complex documents, work directly with clients, and grow inside a broad, well-resourced private equity practice.