Job Details

A law firm with extensive experience established in Chicago, IL is seeking an Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Associate to join its rapidly growing Corporate Practice. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of experience working with early stage and growth stage companies, founders and venture capital firms and the ability to act as lead attorney on a range of EC/VC transactions. In addition, this attorney should have significant experience with transactional and corporate governance matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate structure (formation and reorganization), corporate contracts (operating agreements, license agreements, service contacts, buy/sell agreements etc.), joint ventures, divestitures and private equity.

Experience Required:

• Experience with M&A transactions in the technology and venture capital spaces
  Familiarity with convertible debt, preferred equity issuances and related financing tools
• Fund formation experience, including experience structuring funds, management entities and carried interest holding structures
• Familiarity with regulatory matters facing funds and issuers, including the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, The Securities Act of 1933, Reg D safe-harbors and state blue sky law compliance
• Familiarity and experience with the forms published by the National Venture Capital Association
• Understanding of the issues facing clients whose primary asset is intellectual property, including IP ownership, IP development, licensing agreements, tax matters, employee matters and similar concepts
• Experience with the ESG, clean-technology, blockchain, Web 3 and cryptocurrency spaces

• Experience drafting transaction agreements and documents with efficiency and clarity, negotiating deal terms, managing transaction closings and processes and providing thorough legal research and analysis.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills. Attention to detail, self-directed, and an ability to work efficiently on a several different matters at a time.
• Ability to lead, negotiate, manage and close complex transactions.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills. The ideal candidate has the ability to work as part of a team while also having the confidence and demeanor to assume individual responsibility for matters involving direct client interaction. This attorney will serve as business advisor to clients, guiding them in a full range of legal matters throughout their life cycle.
• Candidates must be currently licensed in Illinois or licensed in another state with a UBE score that qualifies in Illinois for comity, be eligible to waive in, or be willing to sit for an upcoming IL bar exam (open to relocation candidates that meet these requirements).

• Commitment to mentorship, training, and professional development with an achievable path to partnership.
• Opportunity to step into meaningful client relationships and be a key component of the Firm's succession plan.
• Low turnover, collegial, and collaborative environment.
• Health care, life and disability insurance.