Location: Los Angeles, LA / Orange County, California; San Francisco, California

Salary: $310K – $420K

Experience: 4-7 Years

Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Associate Attorney (4–7 Years)

Locations: Los Angeles, Orange County or San Francisco, CA
Salary: $310,000 – $420,000 + Performance Bonus
Advert Reference: MLFS 140

The Opportunity

We are working with a leading Am Law 100 firm seeking an experienced Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Associate (4–7 years) to join its growing Corporate practice in California.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious corporate attorney looking to further develop their expertise in venture capital financings, emerging growth companies, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic investments within a sophisticated national platform.

The successful candidate will advise a diverse client base ranging from innovative startups and high-growth technology businesses to established companies, venture capital funds and institutional investors.

Working as part of a collaborative national team, the successful candidate will gain exposure to sophisticated company-side and investor-side transactions, benefit from direct access to experienced partners and assume meaningful responsibility for managing transactions and developing client relationships.

The position would particularly suit an associate who has established a strong foundation in emerging companies and venture capital work and is now looking for greater transactional ownership, broader client exposure and a clear pathway for continued professional development.

The Role

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

• Emerging Companies & Startups: Advising founders, entrepreneurs and high-growth businesses on entity formation, corporate structuring, capitalisation and ongoing legal requirements.
• Venture Capital Financings: Representing companies and investors in preferred equity financings, SAFEs, convertible notes, private securities offerings and other capital-raising transactions.
• Investor Representation: Advising venture capital funds, institutional investors and strategic investors on equity investments and financing transactions.
• Mergers & Acquisitions: Supporting buyers, sellers and investors on acquisitions, disposals, strategic investments and other corporate transactions.
• Transaction Documentation: Drafting, reviewing and negotiating acquisition agreements, financing documents, investment agreements and related corporate documentation.
• Transaction Management: Taking responsibility for coordinating due diligence, managing deal processes, negotiating transaction documents and overseeing closings.
• Corporate Governance: Advising companies and boards on governance policies, committee charters, board materials, corporate minutes and equity incentive arrangements.
• Securities Regulation: Advising on applicable federal securities laws, regulations and relevant listing standards.
• General Corporate Advisory: Providing ongoing legal and commercial advice to emerging and established businesses throughout their growth and investment lifecycles.

Candidate Requirements

We are interested in speaking with attorneys who offer:

• A Juris Doctor (JD) from a nationally recognised and accredited law school.
• 4–7 years of corporate transactional experience gained within a law firm, with a strong focus on emerging companies and venture capital.
• Previous experience practising within an Am Law 100 firm.
• Demonstrable experience advising emerging growth companies, venture-backed businesses and investors on financing transactions.
• Strong familiarity with preferred equity financings, SAFEs, convertible notes and private securities offerings.
• Experience handling mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments and related corporate transactions.
• Knowledge of federal securities laws, corporate governance requirements and equity incentive arrangements.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, communication and project management skills.
• Strong academic credentials and commercial awareness.
• The ability to manage multiple complex transactions, anticipate potential issues and deliver high-quality work within demanding timeframes.
• A collaborative approach and the confidence to work directly with clients and senior practitioners.
• Active admission to the California Bar.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This position offers an attractive combination of sophisticated transactional work, significant client exposure and long-term career development within an established national corporate platform.

Key attractions include:

• Sophisticated ECVC Practice: Work on complex venture capital financings, emerging company transactions and strategic investments across a range of industries.
• Company & Investor-Side Experience: Develop a well-rounded transactional practice representing both high-growth businesses and the investors supporting them.
• National Platform: Collaborate with experienced corporate attorneys across a national practice, gaining exposure to transactions and clients beyond your immediate office.
• Direct Partner Access: Work closely with established ECVC partners who provide hands-on guidance, mentoring and opportunities for professional growth.
• Meaningful Responsibility: Assume an active role in managing transactions, negotiating documentation and advising clients from an early stage.
• Earlier Client Contact: Develop direct relationships with founders, executives, investors and other key stakeholders.
• Growing Practice: Join an expanding national team with opportunities to contribute to the continued development of its emerging companies and venture capital offering.
• Long-Term Career Potential: Further strengthen your technical expertise, commercial judgment and client relationships within a sophisticated corporate environment.
• California Office Flexibility: Opportunities available in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco, with hybrid working arrangements.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $310,000 – $420,000 per annum.

Bonus Potential: Additional compensation through a performance- and hours-based bonus programme.

The final salary offered will depend on the successful candidate's experience, qualifications, geographic location and relevant expertise.

This represents an attractive compensation opportunity for an experienced ECVC associate seeking to combine high-quality transactional work with significant earning potential and continued career progression.

Confidential Enquiries

If you are an Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Associate with 4–7 years of experience and are considering your next career move in California, we would welcome a confidential conversation.

Whether you are actively exploring new opportunities or simply interested in learning more about a growing national ECVC practice offering sophisticated transactions, meaningful responsibility and strong compensation, we would be pleased to discuss the position in greater detail.

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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