Corporate Associate Attorney

Corporate Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel is seeking a Corporate Associate Attorney to join a highly respected Am Law firm's Chicago office.

Position Overview: A leading national firm is seeking mid- to senior-level Corporate Associate Attorneys with approximately 4–8 years of experience to join its Corporate Group in Chicago. The role focuses on mergers & acquisitions and a broad range of general corporate transactional matters within a sophisticated, high-volume practice.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience working on complex corporate transactions, with the ability to support or manage significant portions of deal execution. Experience overseeing the full lifecycle of a transaction is a plus, along with strong drafting, analytical, and client service skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Represent clients in mergers & acquisitions and other corporate transactions
• Assist with or lead execution of deal workstreams across the full transaction lifecycle
• Draft and negotiate definitive agreements and ancillary transaction documents
• Advise on corporate governance, recapitalizations, private equity investments, and joint ventures
• Support clients on general corporate advisory matters, including takeover preparedness and governance issues
• Collaborate closely with cross-practice teams on complex transactions

Qualifications:

• Approximately 4–8 years of experience in corporate transactional law, including M&A
• Prior law firm experience required
• Experience managing or significantly contributing to deal execution preferred
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and project management skills
• Excellent academic credentials and strong professional references preferred
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

Compensation: The anticipated base salary for this Chicago-based Associate Attorney position is $365,000–$435,000 annually, depending on experience and other job-related factors consistent with applicable law. The role may also be eligible for a discretionary year-end bonus.

Additional Information: The firm offers a robust lateral integration and mentorship program designed to support experienced attorneys during career transitions. Attorneys benefit from extensive professional development resources, a hybrid work model, and a well-established pro bono program that allows meaningful engagement in community service initiatives.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The firm is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable employment laws. Reasonable accommodations are available during the application process upon request.