Associate Counsel (M&A and Corporate Governance) (Director)

Risk, Regulatory and Legal Affairs (RRLA) Associate Counsel (M&A and Corporate Governance)

We strive to deliver the Grant Thornton Experience to our people as part of our day-to-day work. As a diverse organization with a growing list of esteemed clients, Grant Thornton offers you a broad range of opportunities to find the right fit.

The Grant Thornton Experience supports our people by:

• Offering meaningful and challenging work
• Recognizing contributions and paying competitive compensation
• Creating an environment of connection and appreciation
• Fostering a culture of pride enhanced by our reputation in the marketplace

Associate Counsel (M&A and Corporate Governance)

Grant Thornton is seeking a full-time attorney for the firm’s in-house legal department, focused on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and corporate governance. 

Responsibilities: 

The Associate Counsel (M&A and Corporate Governance) will provide comprehensive legal support for all aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions. The attorney will work closely with internal legal and business teams, external advisors, and senior management to ensure successful execution of deals and effective risk management. This role requires a strong background in corporate law, M&A transactions, corporate governance, and a keen understanding of business operations.

In this role, the attorney will:

• Advise on all stages of M&A transactions, including structuring, due diligence, negotiations, drafting and reviewing transaction documents, and post-closing integration.
• Provide strategic legal advice to firm leadership on potential mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other business development activities.
• Manage relationships with external counsel, consultants, and other third-party advisors in connection with M&A transactions.
• Coordinate various aspects of M&A transactions, including running signing and closing checklists and ensuring that timelines are met. 
• Review and negotiate complex legal documents, including purchase agreements and ancillary transaction documents, confidentiality agreements, and financing-related agreements.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including finance, tax, compliance, and operations, to ensure alignment on deal objectives and smooth transaction execution and integration.
• Conduct legal and risk assessments to identify potential issues and provide risk mitigation strategies.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies during the M&A process.
• Stay current on changes in M&A and corporate law, industry trends, and best practices to advise the organization effectively.
• Support the Office of the Corporate Secretary on projects as assigned.
• Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned. 

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admission to a state bar (in good standing).
• 5+ years of experience practicing in corporate law with a strong focus on mergers and acquisitions, either in a law firm or corporate legal department.
• Well-versed in the mechanics of running a transaction from inception to closing.
• Hands-on drafting and negotiating experience for complex M&A transactions. 
• Experience advising on a variety of M&A transactions, including due diligence, deal structuring, negotiations, and post-closing integration.
• Understanding of corporate governance and familiarity with securities laws, antitrust regulations, and other relevant legal frameworks.
• Strong interpersonal skills, a high degree of maturity, and a proven willingness to accept significant responsibility and manage a challenging workload within a fast-paced environment. 
• Contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Ability to analyze complex legal and business issues and provide practical, solutions-oriented advice.
• Attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing priorities.
• Experience with international M&A transactions or cross-border deals preferred.
• Familiarity with private equity and other alternative investment structures preferred.

The base salary range for this position in the firm’s Chicago, IL office only is between $243,800 and $406,300 per year.