Corporate M&A & Transactional Risk Associate | Chicago, IL | Hybrid | 3–6 Years' Experience | $225,000–$325,000 Base + Bonus | Am Law 100

Corporate M&A & Transactional Risk Associate | Chicago, IL | Hybrid | 3–6 Years' Experience | $225,000–$325,000 Base + Bonus | Am Law 100

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 100 national full-service law firm seeking a Corporate M&A & Transactional Risk Associate to join its growing Chicago office.

This is a unique opportunity for an M&A attorney who wants to build a differentiated practice at the intersection of corporate transactions and Representations & Warranties (R&W) Insurance. Working alongside nationally recognised practitioners, you will advise on sophisticated middle-market and large-cap acquisitions while developing expertise in one of the fastest-growing areas of transactional practice.

The successful attorney will enjoy direct partner access, significant client responsibility and exposure to complex domestic and cross-border transactions, with a genuine pathway towards partnership, client development and long-term career progression.

Company Highlights

• Join an Am Law 100 national platform with more than 850 attorneys across offices throughout the United States.

• Work within a nationally recognised Corporate and M&A practice advising private equity sponsors, strategic buyers, portfolio companies and financial institutions on sophisticated transactions.

• Develop specialist expertise in the rapidly expanding Representations & Warranties Insurance market, one of the fastest-growing areas of transactional practice.

• Gain exposure to complex middle-market and large-cap acquisitions across multiple industries, including real estate, energy, infrastructure and private equity.

• Benefit from a highly collaborative, entrepreneurial culture offering direct partner access, meaningful responsibility and strong client interaction from an early stage.

• Build your career through structured mentoring, leadership development, business development training and genuine partnership opportunities.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This opportunity offers the chance to:

• Build a highly marketable niche combining sophisticated M&A with Transactional Risk Insurance.

• Work directly with leading underwriters, brokers, sponsors and corporate clients on high-value acquisitions.

• Develop expertise reviewing complex transactional and diligence risks from both legal and commercial perspectives.

• Take ownership of meaningful workstreams with significant client exposure.

• Join a growing practice offering long-term career progression and excellent opportunities for business development.

The Role

The successful attorney will support and lead key components of sophisticated corporate transactions, including:

• Advising on Representations & Warranties Insurance and other transactional risk products.

• Reviewing and analysing stock purchase agreements, membership interest purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements and related transaction documents.

• Supporting underwriting workstreams for complex M&A transactions.

• Assessing legal due diligence and translating findings into commercial insurance risk analyses.

• Advising on middle-market and large-cap acquisitions across a broad range of industries.

• Working closely with corporate, real estate and finance teams on multidisciplinary transactions.

• Collaborating directly with partners, clients, brokers and insurance underwriters throughout the transaction lifecycle.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking an attorney with:

• Approximately 3–6 years of sophisticated Corporate M&A experience.

• Experience representing private equity sponsors, strategic buyers or corporate clients in middle-market or larger acquisitions.

• Strong drafting and negotiation experience involving purchase agreements and ancillary transaction documents.

• Excellent analytical, commercial and problem-solving skills.

• Experience involving real estate-intensive transactions, REITs, energy or infrastructure transactions would be advantageous.

• Strong academic credentials from a highly regarded law school.

• Admission in Illinois

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $225,000–$325,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

The firm also offers:

• Performance-based bonus opportunities.

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance.

• Life and long-term disability insurance.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Flexible spending accounts.

• Generous paid time off.

• Professional development and mentoring.

• Leadership development and business development support.

Kindly apply with your resume. Should your experience align with the opportunity, we will contact you telephonically, via e-mail or LinkedIn to schedule a discreet call. All discussions will be handled in strict confidence.