Transactional Associate

Swan Legal Search; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Swan Legal Search has partnered with a premier San Francisco boutique to add a transactional associate to its growing team. You’ll work on sophisticated healthcare and technology transactions, including M&A, governance, and regulatory matters.

The role emphasizes high-level drafting, due diligence, and direct client advising, with a transparent, uncapped bonus structure and a 1,450-hour billable target.

Qualifications

• 2–6 years of law firm experience.
• Strong drafting, analytical, and negotiating skills.
• Desire for sophisticated transactional work in healthcare/tech.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate sophisticated transactional documents and agreements.
• Manage due diligence and help move significant transactions forward.
• Advise on corporate governance, employment, and healthcare regulatory matters.
• Develop long-term client relationships and serve as a trusted advisor.
• Collaborate closely with key decision-makers and external general counsel.

Skills

Drafting & Negotiation

Due Diligence

Client Advisory

Education

Active California Bar membership

Job description

What if you could leave Big Law hours without sacrificing sophisticated transactional work?

We’re partnering with a premier San Francisco boutique to add a transactional associate to its growing team. We’ve worked with this firm for years, and the attorneys we’ve placed there continue to be happy and successful — which says a lot about the culture.

Role Highlights

• Position: Transactional Associate
• Experience: 2–6 years
• Practice: Sophisticated transactional work for healthcare and technology clients, including M&A, corporate governance, commercial agreements, and regulatory matters
• Billable Requirement: Just 1,450 hours annually, with a transparent, uncapped bonus structure for additional billing
• Base Salary: $170,000–$245,000, depending on experience

What You’ll Do

• Draft and negotiate sophisticated transactional documents and commercial agreements
• Manage due diligence and help keep significant transactions moving forward
• Advise clients directly on corporate governance, employment, and healthcare regulatory matters, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, and healthcare privacy requirements
• Work directly with key decision-makers and develop meaningful, long-term client relationships
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients — including in an outside general counsel capacity

What They’re Looking For

• 2–6 years law firm experience
• Active membership in the California Bar
• Strong academic credentials and excellent drafting, analytical, and negotiation skills
• Someone who enjoys sophisticated work but is looking for a more sustainable and collaborative practice environment

CONFIDENTIALITY

All communication is confidential. Swan Legal Search will not share your materials without your prior consent.

ABOUT SWAN LEGAL SEARCH

Swan Legal Search specializes in attorney placements throughout California and the Pacific Northwest. Our law firm clients look to us for exceptional attorneys in a variety of practice areas including litigation, corporate, labor & employment, intellectual property, real estate, privacy, and more. We are proud of our long-standing relationships with law firms of all sizes, from AmLaw 50 firms to mid-size firms to boutiques.

Founded in 1997, Swan Legal Search has been recognized as the #1 Legal Recruiting Firm by The Recorder for many years.

We are a proud member of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC), the industry’s top association. We are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in the field.