Private Equity M&A Associate Attorney

Lateral Link; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 270,000 - 410,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cravath scale pay

Job summary

Lateral Link in Chicago is seeking private equity M&A associates with 3–6 years of experience at a large or comparably sophisticated firm to handle sponsor-driven transactions. You will own transaction workstreams from LOI through closing, drafting principal documents and coordinating cross-functional diligence.

Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating acquisition agreements, leading due diligence, and supervising specialists in tax, finance, benefits, real estate, and IP, with direct

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of private equity and M&A experience at a large or comparably sophisticated firm.
• Reps running substantial deal workstreams from early stages through closing.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, with comfort working directly with clients.

Responsibilities

• Drafting and negotiating acquisition agreements, equity documents, and ancillary documents
• Managing due diligence, escalating red flags, and translating findings into deal terms
• Portfolio company work post-closing — add-on acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and general corporate counseling
• Running deal execution and closings on compressed sponsor timelines

Skills

Private equity & M&A experience

Job description

Sponsor work is the fastest way to build a deal sheet in corporate law — every platform acquisition drags add-ons and an eventual exit behind it, so the reps keep stacking after closing.

A Global 100 firm is hiring private equity M&A associates (3–6 years) in Chicago. Cravath scale — $270K–$410K depending on class year.

You'd own transaction workstreams from LOI through closing — drafting principal documents, running diligence, and quarterbacking specialists in tax, finance, benefits, real estate, and IP — with direct sponsor contact and junior associates to delegate to.

The work includes:

• Drafting and negotiating acquisition agreements, equity documents, and ancillary documents
• Managing due diligence, escalating red flags, and translating findings into deal terms
• Portfolio company work post-closing — add-on acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and general corporate counseling
• Running deal execution and closings on compressed sponsor timelines

What you bring:

• 3–6 years of private equity and M&A experience at a large or comparably sophisticated firm
• Reps running substantial deal workstreams from early stages through closing
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, with comfort working directly with clients

What you get:

• A sponsor-heavy docket with genuine workstream ownership at the mid-level
• PE M&A training that stays portable across every major market and sponsor client base
• Cravath scale ($270K–$410K depending on class year)