Private Companies Associate Attorney (3rd–6th Year)

About the Role

Our client is seeking a Private Companies Associate Attorney (3rd–6th year) to join its nationally recognized private companies and emerging growth practice in Boston andSan Francisco.

This role is ideal for attorneys with significant experience advising venture-backed startups and growth-stage companies throughout their lifecycle — from formation and venture financings through liquidity events and strategic transactions.

Associates in this practice work closely with some of the most innovative high-growth companies and the investors that support them, while also having the opportunity to contribute to business development, thought leadership, and the continued expansion of the firm's national private companies platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise early-stage and growth-stage companies on:

  • General corporate matters

  • Corporate governance

  • Venture capital financings

  • Growth equity transactions

  • Liquidity events and strategic exits

• Represent venture capital investors and emerging companies in financing transactions

• Draft and negotiate:

  • Financing documents

  • Corporate governance materials

  • Investor agreements

  • Transaction-related documentation

• Support clients throughout their growth lifecycle from formation through exit

• Manage multiple sophisticated transactional matters simultaneously

• Collaborate with founders, executives, investors, and internal legal teams

• Participate in client development initiatives, speaking engagements, and practice-building opportunities

Required Qualifications

• 3–6 years of substantial experience representing:

  • Venture-backed startups

  • Growth-stage companies

  • Venture capital investors

• Strong experience with:

  • Venture financings

  • General corporate counseling

  • Liquidity events

  • Corporate governance matters

• Strong drafting, analytical, and communication skills

• Ability to manage sophisticated client relationships and active deal flow

• Experience at a national or international law firm strongly preferred

• JD from a nationally recognized law school with strong academic credentials

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Strong emerging companies / venture capital associate

• Entrepreneurial mindset with interest in building long-term client relationships

• Comfortable advising founders, startups, and high-growth businesses

• Strong transactional execution skills with ability to independently manage workstreams

• Collaborative team player who thrives in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments

Preferred Background

Best-fit candidates likely come from:

• Am Law 100 emerging companies & venture capital groups

• National startup/venture practices

• Chambers-ranked private companies groups

Strong target firms may include:

• Cooley

• Goodwin

• Gunderson

• Wilson Sonsini

• Fenwick

• Latham

• Orrick

• Mintz

• Foley Hoag

• WilmerHale