Senior Capital Markets Associate (San Diego)

DLA Piper; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

DLA Piper is seeking a senior corporate associate to join its San Diego office. This role focuses on public company reporting, compliance, and corporate governance, ideal for those with at least 5 years of capital markets experience.

The associate will collaborate with a dynamic team, supporting capital markets practices for innovative issuer and underwriter clients. A JD is required, and the role is hybrid, allowing for some work-from-home flexibility.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of capital markets experience.
• Experience with large cap and mid cap public companies.
• Strong knowledge of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough legal research and analysis.
• Draft legal documents including briefs and motions.
• Assist/manage complex cases/transactions from inception to resolution.
• Build and maintain client relationships.
• Collaborate with lawyers and business professionals.
• Ensure compliance with legal standards and regulations.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication

Strong research and analytical skills

Attention to detail

Good business and professional judgment

Excellent organizational skills

Ability to work collaboratively and independently

Conceptual thinking

Persuasive communication

Management skills

Education

JD

Degree from an accredited law school

Job description

Summary

DLA Piper is seeking a senior corporate associate to join its San Diego office. This associate will practice in the areas of public company reporting and compliance, corporate governance, capital markets, and will work day‑to‑day with public companies. The role offers an opportunity to join a dynamic and growing securities practice within a leading global law firm focused on life science, technology, and digital asset verticals for innovative issuer and underwriter clients. The associate will support DLA Piper’s national capital markets and public company advisory practice; experience at a large firm is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Responsibilities as an Associate will vary based on level of experience and specific practice group.
• Legal Research: Conduct thorough and comprehensive legal research and analysis to support case/transaction preparation and strategy.
• Legal Writing: Draft well‑written, error‑free, and reasoned legal documents, including briefs, motions, contracts, and correspondence.
• Case/Transaction Assistance and Management: Assist/Manage a variety of complex cases/transactions from inception to resolution including preparing for trials, negotiations, settlements, closings, and other legal activities while demonstrating strong judgement.
• Internal/External Client Interaction: Build, maintain, and cultivate strong internal and external client relationships by providing support, regular updates, advice, and addressing concerns promptly and with professionalism.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other lawyers and business professionals to support and develop innovative case/transaction strategies to achieve the most favorable outcomes for internal and external clients.
• Attend, support, and participate in high‑level legal activities including court hearings, depositions, negotiations, trials, etc.
• Compliance: Ensure rigorous compliance with legal standards and regulations, staying abreast of changes in law and legal precedents.
• Professional Development: Proactively seek out and participate in ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance legal knowledge, practice technology, management, and leadership skills.
• Firm Citizenship and Community Involvement: Engage in and contribute to firm programs and initiatives, civic and professional organizations, and pro bono work by providing legal assistance to underserved and underrepresented communities.

Desired Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication abilities. Strong research, analytical and problem‑solving skills. Attention to detail. Good business and professional judgment. Excellent organizational skills. Ability to work collaboratively and independently. Conceptual thinking. Persuasive communication. Management skills.

Minimum Education

• JD
• Degree from an accredited law school.

Certifications

Admitted to practice in California.

Minimum Years Of Experience

• Minimum 5 years of capital markets experience.
• Experience working with large cap and mid cap public companies, with their periodic reporting, proxy statements, Section 13 and Section 16 filings.
• Strong knowledge of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as well as the Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange listing and governance requirements.
• Direct and applicable AmLaw 100 law firm preferred.

Essential Job Expectations

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner.
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required.
• Foster positive work relationships.
• Comply with all firm policies and practices.
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as working at a computer for extended periods, participating in digital/virtual conference calls, and participating in meetings as needed.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast‑paced environment.
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment

Hybrid – Regular in‑office presence with some flexibility for work‑from‑home.

DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.