Senior M&A & Private Equity Counsel

McPhail Sanchez, LLC; Grand Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Varnum is seeking an attorney with substantial transactional experience to join its Corporate Practice Team in Michigan. The attorney will lead M&A deals in a first-chair capacity, advising on structuring, due diligence, and negotiations for closely held businesses and private equity sponsors.

The candidate should have 7–10 years of relevant experience, a JD, and admission to the Michigan bar; relocation assistance is available.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• 7–10 years of relevant law firm experience.
• First-chair leadership of complex deals.
• Experience with private equity sponsors and family-owned enterprises preferred.
• Admission to Michigan bar or willingness to obtain.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage M&A transactions in a first-chair capacity, including structuring, due diligence, negotiation, and execution of buy-side and sell-side deals.
• Represent private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and closely held businesses through all stages of the deal cycle.
• Draft, review, and negotiate acquisition agreements, ancillary transaction documents, and a wide range of commercial contracts and business agreements.
• Advise clients on venture capital financings, joint ventures, and other business combination and investment transactions.
• Counsel clients on day-to-day corporate matters, including entity formation, corporate structuring, governance, succession planning, and general business counseling.
• Manage client relationships, serve as a primary point of contact on assigned matters, and contribute to business development efforts across the firm's corporate practice.
• Mentor and collaborate with associates and other members of the corporate practice team on transactional and general corporate matters.

Skills

First-chair M&A

M&A experience

Private equity

Negotiation

Drafting agreements

Client relations

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

Varnum is seeking an attorney with substantial transactional experience to join its Corporate Practice Team in Michigan. The attorney will lead M&A deals in a first-chair capacity, advising on structuring, due diligence, and negotiations for closely held businesses and private equity sponsors.

The candidate should have 7–10 years of relevant experience, a JD, and admission to the Michigan bar; relocation assistance is available.