Associate Corporate (M&A and Private Equity) - Chicago
Direct CounselChicago, Illinois, United States
Posted April 1, 2026
Full Time
About the Company
Direct Counsel is a full-service legal staffing and recruiting firm that specializes in both temporary and permanent placements across the United States. Leveraging deep local market knowledge, the company excels at sourcing, retaining, and deploying top-tier attorneys, paralegals, legal secretaries, and administrative professionals on short-term, long-term, and direct-hire engagements. Its comprehensive suite of services—including specialized searches, talent building, and legal assistance—ensures clients receive highly qualified legal talent tailored to their specific needs. Direct Counsel’s distinctive advantage lies in its proven ability to quickly match clients with the right professionals, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and legal team performance.
Job Description
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions and/or private equity and will join as a 3rd through 5th-year associate, with strong analytical skills, a commitment to client service, and the ability to work on complex corporate transactions in a fast-paced environment.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions and/or private equity
- Experience working on buy-side and sell-side transactions for private equity firms and strategic buyers
- Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills
- Ability to manage multiple transactions and deadlines simultaneously
- Excellent academic credentials and professional references