Venture & Growth Finance Associate (Multi-City)

DLA Piper; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 310,000 - 365,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k)

Hybrid work

Job summary

DLA Piper seeks a Finance associate to join its Venture & Growth subgroup in our California offices, including San Francisco, Palo Alto and more. You should have at least four years of lender-side experience and a track record representing banks or private credit funds on technology, life sciences, and middle-market loans.

Jurisdictional admission is required. Responsibilities span research, writing, and transaction support, with client interactions, collaboration across teams, and a focus on

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school required.
• Minimum of four years of lender-side representation experience.
• Admitted to practice in the jurisdiction where applying.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research to support case and transaction preparation.
• Draft briefs, motions, contracts, and correspondence with precision.
• Assist/manage complex cases/transactions from inception to resolution.
• Develop and maintain client relationships with professional responsiveness.
• Collaborate with lawyers and business professionals on strategy.
• Attend hearings, negotiations and trials as needed.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and firm policies.

Skills

Lender-side representation

Bank/private credit experience

Strong communication

Legal research

Attention to detail

Judgment and professional conduct

Organizational skills

Collaborative work

Education

JD

Accredited law school degree

Job description

Summary

DLA Piper is seeking a Finance associate to join its Venture & Growth subgroup in any of our New York or California offices (New York, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and San Diego). Candidates should have a minimum of four years of lender‑side representation for commercial finance matters. Experience representing banks and/or private credit funds on loans to technology, life sciences and/or middle‑market companies is preferred. Candidates must be admitted to the jurisdiction in which they are applying.

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 continuously demonstrating strong judgment.
• 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 the utmost 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 your 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; 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 the state in which they are officing.

Minimum Years Of Experience

• A minimum of four years of experience.
• Direct and applicable AmLaw 100 firm experience.

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.

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at‑will nature of employment.

Pay Transparency

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $310,000 - $365,000 per year depending on the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k). Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.