Job Details

M&A Associate Attorney

  2025-12-13     thrively     Santa Rosa,CA  
Description:

Relocation support is available, and admission to or eligibility to waive into the relevant jurisdiction within 3–6 months is required.

About the Opportunity

If you're craving a corporate practice that actually feels different—one that pairs Silicon Valley's entrepreneurial energy with the rigor of a nationally recognized M&A powerhouse—you'll feel at home here. Our client is one of the most respected technology-focused law firms in the country, advising the companies reshaping how the world works. You'll join a premier M&A group completing industry-defining transactions across tech and life sciences, while working in a culture known for authenticity, humility, and zero pretense. If you want world-class deal exposure without the rigid hierarchy of traditional BigLaw, this is it.

About the Firm

Our client is a nationally recognized law firm known for its deep alignment with technology and life sciences companies—from early-stage startups to global public leaders. The M&A practice has been honored repeatedly as one of the top technology deal teams in the country and has completed over $750 billion in transactions in recent years, including high-profile strategic exits and complex cross-border acquisitions.

What sets this firm apart is its unique blend of:

  • Elite deal sophistication
  • A free-market staffing model that empowers associates to chart their own course
  • A down-to-earth, West Coast-influenced culture that values authenticity, collaboration, and autonomy
  • An environment where associates grow quickly, build meaningful relationships with partners, and have pathways both to partnership and to outstanding in-house roles at top technology companies

Role Overview

We are seeking a Mid-Level Corporate M&A Associate with 3–5 years of experience at a leading law firm. This individual will join a highly selective, high-performing M&A group that handles sophisticated transactions across the technology and life sciences sectors.

This role is available in the following offices:

  • New York
  • Silicon Valley / Palo Alto
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle

Relocation support is available, and admission to or eligibility to waive into the relevant jurisdiction within 3–6 months is required.

What You'll Do

As a mid-level associate in this practice, you will:

  • Work on complex domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, including strategic acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, and multi-party deals
  • Lead and manage key workstreams, with increasing autonomy as you demonstrate capability
  • Draft and negotiate transaction documents
  • Advise clients ranging from hyper-growth startups to global market leaders
  • Collaborate closely with partners and senior associates who invest deeply in associate development
  • Participate in a free-market staffing environment where you can choose deals and partners that align with your interests
  • Build expertise across technology and life sciences dealmaking
  • Contribute to a practice known for speed, sophistication, and incredibly high client service standards

What Makes This Role Different

  • True free-market model: You choose your work, your partners, and your trajectory.
  • West Coast culture across all offices: No ego, no pretense, just exceptional attorneys who care about the work and each other.
  • Accelerated development: Associates here grow faster because they get hands-on, meaningful deal responsibility early.
  • Top-tier training & mentorship: Through a structured "university" model and practice management support.
  • Elite client base: You'll work with the most innovative companies in tech and life sciences.
  • Realistic career pathways: Many associates successfully move in-house to high-caliber tech clients; others build long-term careers at the firm.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Required

  • 3–5 years of M&A experience at a leading corporate firm
  • Active bar membership in the relevant jurisdiction OR eligibility to waive in within 3–6 months
  • Strong academic credentials from a top law school
  • Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills
  • Demonstrated experience managing key parts of M&A deal processes
  • Experience or interest in technology and/or life sciences

Preferred

  • Significant M&A deal sheet demonstrating complexity and leadership on workstreams
  • Exposure to cross-border deals
  • Prior experience with technology companies, startup clients, or innovation-driven acquirers

Compensation

Base salary ranges from $260,000 – $310,000 depending on level and location, with eligibility for discretionary bonus. The firm follows a tiered competency-based leveling system aligned with market-leading compensation structures.

Comprehensive benefits include:

  • Medical, dental, vision
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Wellness programs
  • Hybrid work model (3 days in office)

Application Details

Please note that if we decide to move you forward into the process we will ask you to provide a deal sheet and law school transcripts.


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