Location: Detroit, MI

Salary: $330K – $420K

Experience: 5-7 Years

Private Equity M&A Associate Attorney – Detroit, MI

Location: Detroit, Michigan
Salary: $330,000 – $420,000
Experience: 5–7 Years
Practice Area: Private Equity / Mergers & Acquisitions / Corporate Transactions

The Opportunity

A leading national law firm is seeking an experienced Private Equity M&A Associate to join its growing Corporate practice in Detroit.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious corporate attorney looking to deepen their expertise in sophisticated private equity transactions, take on greater deal responsibility, and play an important role in the continued expansion of a well-established national Private Equity M&A practice.

The team advises private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and middle-market businesses on a broad range of domestic and cross-border transactions, including platform acquisitions, add-on investments, strategic divestitures, and exit transactions.

Private equity represents a significant area of continued investment and growth for the practice, creating an opportunity for the successful candidate to contribute directly to its development while working alongside experienced deal lawyers across multiple offices and practice areas.

The position offers substantial client exposure, hands-on transaction management, and the opportunity to build long-term relationships with private equity sponsors and their investment teams.

The Work

The role offers exposure to sophisticated sponsor-side M&A transactions, including:

• Private Equity Acquisitions: Advising private equity sponsors and portfolio companies on platform acquisitions, add-on investments, and buy-and-build strategies.
• Domestic & Cross-Border M&A: Managing complex U.S. and international transactions involving multiple stakeholders, jurisdictions, and deal structures.
• Strategic Divestitures & Exits: Supporting portfolio company sales, strategic disposals, and private equity exit transactions.
• Transaction Documentation: Drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, disclosure schedules, ancillary documents, and other complex M&A agreements.
• Deal Management: Taking responsibility for key transaction workstreams, coordinating due diligence, managing negotiations, and overseeing matters through signing and closing.
• Client Advisory: Working directly with private equity professionals, portfolio company management teams, opposing counsel, and other transaction advisers.
• Practice Development: Supporting the expansion of sponsor relationships, identifying opportunities for additional client work, and contributing to the continued growth of the Private Equity M&A practice.

The position provides an opportunity to develop a sophisticated sponsor-side practice while taking ownership of increasingly complex transactions.

About You

We are interested in speaking with attorneys who offer:

• A Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
• 5–7 years of corporate M&A experience gained within a law firm.
• Substantial experience advising on complex mergers and acquisitions, ideally involving private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies.
• Experience with platform acquisitions, add-on transactions, divestitures, or private equity exits.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, particularly involving acquisition agreements and related transaction documentation.
• The ability to manage multiple transaction workstreams and take responsibility for sophisticated deals.
• Experience communicating directly with clients, management teams, opposing counsel, and transaction advisers.
• Strong commercial judgment, excellent organizational skills, and a practical approach to advising clients.
• An interest in business development and building long-term relationships with private equity sponsors.
• Active bar membership in good standing, with the ability to obtain timely admission to the Michigan Bar.

Attorneys with strong general M&A experience who are looking to further specialize in sponsor-side private equity transactions are also encouraged to apply.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Sophisticated Private Equity Transactions
Work on complex platform acquisitions, add-on investments, strategic divestitures, and exit transactions for private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies across a range of industries.

A Growing Private Equity Practice
Join a team where private equity is a strategic growth priority, offering the opportunity to contribute to the development of the practice and build relationships with an expanding sponsor client base.

Meaningful Responsibility & Client Exposure
Take an active role in managing transactions, negotiating directly with counterparties, and working closely with private equity professionals and portfolio company management teams.

National Platform & Collaborative Deal Teams
Benefit from working alongside experienced corporate attorneys and specialists across multiple offices and practice disciplines, providing exposure to sophisticated multidisciplinary transactions.

Business Development Opportunities
Develop relationships with private equity sponsors, participate in client development initiatives, and build the commercial skills and connections that support long-term career progression.

Long-Term Career Development
Join a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment that values professional growth, intellectual curiosity, and increasing levels of responsibility.

Competitive Compensation & Benefits
A base salary of $330,000 – $420,000, depending on experience and qualifications, alongside a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, life and disability insurance, and additional employee benefits.

Interested in Learning More?

If you're an experienced corporate M&A associate looking to strengthen your private equity practice, take on greater transactional responsibility, and contribute to the growth of a nationally established team, this could be an excellent next step in your career.

The opportunity will particularly appeal to attorneys who enjoy working directly with private equity sponsors, managing sophisticated transactions, and developing long-term client relationships.

All enquiries and applications will be handled in strict confidence.

To be considered, hit the apply button or reach out to Freddie at freddie@tposearch.com with your resume, cover letter, and law school transcript, deal sheet/representative matters.

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