Location: Chicago, IL / Columbus, Ohio

Salary: $175K – $250K

Experience: 3-6 Years

Corporate Associate Attorney – Emerging Companies & Venture Capital (3–6 Years)

Locations: Chicago, IL | Columbus, OH
Salary: $175,000 – $250,000 (Location Dependent)

The Opportunity

We are working with a highly regarded, full-service U.S. law firm seeking an experienced Corporate Associate (3–6 years) to join its established Emerging Companies and Venture Capital practice in either Chicago or Columbus.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious corporate attorney with experience advising startups, venture-backed businesses and institutional investors to further develop their practice within a sophisticated transactional environment.

The successful candidate will work with innovative, high-growth companies, venture capital funds and early-stage investors, advising on the legal and commercial challenges associated with launching, financing, scaling and operating emerging businesses.

The position would particularly suit an associate who enjoys working closely with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, and is looking to build a long-term career within the emerging companies and venture capital ecosystem.

The Role

The successful candidate will advise on a broad range of corporate and venture capital matters, potentially including:

• Emerging Companies & Startups: Advising early-stage and high-growth businesses on corporate formation, governance, ownership structures and ongoing legal requirements.
• Venture Capital Financings: Representing venture-backed companies and investors in equity financing transactions, including seed-stage and subsequent funding rounds.
• Investor Representation: Advising venture capital funds, angel investors and other early-stage investors on investments in emerging businesses.
• Corporate Transactions: Supporting clients on equity issuances, capitalisation matters, strategic investments and other corporate transactions.
• Transaction Documentation: Drafting, reviewing and negotiating financing agreements, investment documentation, shareholder agreements and related corporate contracts.
• Corporate Governance: Advising founders, management teams and boards on governance arrangements, shareholder rights and corporate compliance.
• Client Relationships: Working directly with entrepreneurs, investors and senior legal practitioners to provide practical, commercially focused advice throughout the business lifecycle.

Candidate Requirements

We are interested in speaking with attorneys who offer:

• A Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• 3–6 years of corporate transactional experience gained within a law firm, with a particular focus on emerging companies and venture capital.
• Demonstrable experience representing early-stage companies, venture capital-backed businesses, early-stage investors or venture capital funds.
• Strong drafting, negotiation and transactional execution skills.
• A solid understanding of venture financing structures and corporate governance considerations.
• Excellent academic credentials and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality legal advice.
• Commercial awareness and an interest in working with innovative, entrepreneurial businesses.
• The ability to manage multiple transactions and client relationships effectively.
• Admission to the Illinois or Ohio Bar, or active steps towards admission in the relevant jurisdiction.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This position offers the chance to develop a specialised emerging companies and venture capital practice within an established law firm, combining sophisticated transactional work with meaningful exposure to the innovation and investment ecosystem.

Key attractions include:

• Emerging Companies Focus: Work with startups and high-growth businesses as they navigate financing, expansion and strategic development.
• Venture Capital Exposure: Represent both companies and investors, developing a well-rounded understanding of venture capital transactions.
• Direct Client Engagement: Build relationships with founders, entrepreneurs, venture capital professionals and business leaders.
• Sophisticated Corporate Platform: Benefit from the resources and experience of an established Corporate Transactions and Securities practice.
• Professional Development: Further develop your transactional expertise, negotiation skills and commercial judgment in a specialised practice area.
• Long-Term Career Potential: Build a strong foundation for continued progression within the emerging companies and venture capital sector.
• Choice of Location: Opportunities available in two established U.S. legal markets, Chicago and Columbus.

Compensation

The firm offers a competitive compensation package, with base salary dependent on office location, experience and qualifications.

Final compensation will be determined by the successful candidate's experience, skills, responsibilities and other relevant factors.

Confidential Enquiries

If you are a Corporate Associate with 3–6 years of experience advising emerging companies, venture-backed businesses or venture capital investors, we would welcome a confidential conversation.

Whether you are actively exploring new opportunities or simply interested in learning more about the market, we would be pleased to discuss how this position could align with your experience and longer-term career ambitions.

To be considered, please contact Freddie at freddie@tposearch.com with your resume, cover letter, and law school transcript, deal sheet/representative matters.

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