Associate Attorney - Private Equity / Mergers & Acquisitions

Lippes Mathias LLP•Jacksonville, FL

About The Position

Lippes Mathias is seeking an associate attorney to join its Corporate, Private Equity, and Mergers & Acquisitions practice groups. The team focuses on lower-middle-market transactions and advises clients—including private equity firms, independent sponsors, private companies, family offices, and other investment groups—on sophisticated deals. It provides business-oriented, risk-adjusted legal advice to help clients achieve their goals and close transactions. The attorney will work directly with clients and become a key member of a collegial, team-oriented group that provides training and guidance for professional development. Depending on seniority, the role may involve company purchases and sales, private company investments, securities offerings, general corporate transactions, and corporate governance. Candidates must have private-company M&A experience, including drafting and negotiating purchase agreements and acting as second chair on a deal, running key aspects under partner or counsel supervision. The firm prefers candidates to work from its offices in Buffalo or Rochester, New York, or Jacksonville, Tampa, or West Palm Beach, Florida, but may consider remote or hybrid arrangements based on the candidate’s seniority and experience. The firm offers associate development through Wayfinder Academy, regular engagement conversations, and an attorney mentorship program. The listed salary range is $125,000–$170,000 per year, depending on experience and other job-related factors.

Requirements

3–8+ years of corporate transactional experience.
Experience with private-company M&A, including drafting and negotiating purchase agreements.
Experience acting as second chair on a deal and running key aspects under partner or counsel supervision.
J.D. from an accredited law school.
Admission to the New York State Bar or Florida bar.
Client-service orientation and desire to develop business over time.
Self-starter with strong analytical and communication skills, comfortable managing multiple matters simultaneously.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
Strong legal advocacy and writing skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in one or more of the following, depending on seniority: purchases and sales of companies, private company investments, securities offerings, general corporate transactions, and corporate governance.
Preference for being based in Buffalo or Rochester, New York, or Jacksonville, Tampa, or West Palm Beach, Florida; remote or hybrid arrangements may be considered based on seniority and experience.

Responsibilities

Advise clients on sophisticated lower-middle-market corporate, private equity, and M&A transactions.
Work directly with private equity firms, independent sponsors, private companies, family offices, and other investment groups.
Work on purchases and sales of companies, private company investments, securities offerings, general corporate transactions, and corporate governance, depending on experience and seniority.
Draft and negotiate purchase agreements for private-company M&A transactions.
Run key aspects of deals as second chair under the supervision of a partner or counsel.
Manage multiple matters, competing priorities, and deadlines while providing client-oriented legal service.