SF-Based Life Sciences Transactions Associate

Watts & Associates Recruitment; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Comprehensive health and insurance

Retirement support

Paid time off

Professional-development resources

Wellbeing programmes

Pro bono opportunities

Job summary

Watts & Associates is seeking a Life Sciences Transactions Associate to join its San Francisco, CA office. You will work on licensing, collaborations, financings, and M&A within a leading Am Law 20 life sciences practice, supporting partners and senior lawyers with drafting and negotiation of high‑value matters.

The role emphasizes ownership of workstreams and cross‑practice collaboration with corporate, IP and regulatory teams, offering exposure to top-tier clients and deals.

Qualifications

• This role requires approximately 4–8 years of life-sciences transactions, corporate or technology-transactions experience.
• Experience with sophisticated commercial, licensing or strategic transaction documents.
• Understanding of life-sciences business and intellectual-property considerations.
• Strong drafting, analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple negotiations and transaction timelines.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Strong academic credentials and sophisticated law-firm experience.
• Admission to the California Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate licensing and collaboration agreements.
• Support acquisitions, financings and strategic investments.
• Advise on research, development and commercialization arrangements.
• Assist with intellectual-property and commercial diligence.
• Counsel on manufacturing, supply and distribution arrangements.
• Coordinate corporate, patent, regulatory and tax input.
• Work directly with business-development and in-house legal teams.
• Manage transaction processes and multiple negotiation workstreams.
• Provide practical advice on commercial and strategic risk.

Skills

Drafting

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

California Bar admission

Job description

Watts & Associates is seeking a Life Sciences Transactions Associate to join its San Francisco, CA office. You will work on licensing, collaborations, financings, and M&A within a leading Am Law 20 life sciences practice, supporting partners and senior lawyers with drafting and negotiation of high‑value matters.

The role emphasizes ownership of workstreams and cross‑practice collaboration with corporate, IP and regulatory teams, offering exposure to top-tier clients and deals.