Corporate EC/VC Associate

Gould & Ratner LLP•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Gould & Ratner LLP is seeking an Associate to join its Corporate Practice. The attorney will work with early-stage and growth-stage companies, founders, and venture capital firms on a range of EC/VC transactions, as well as other corporate and transactional matters. The role involves handling complex transactions for sophisticated clients of varying sizes and across industries. The Associate will have direct client interaction, business development experience, and significant responsibility for complex legal matters. The attorney will serve as a business advisor to clients, guiding them through a full range of legal matters throughout their life cycle. This opportunity is suited to a highly motivated attorney seeking a positive career trajectory. The role is hybrid, with in-office and remote work.

Requirements

3–6 years of experience practicing corporate transactional law, including work with early-stage and growth-stage companies, founders, and venture capital firms.
Substantial experience supporting a range of EC/VC transactions.
Significant experience and familiarity with forms published by the National Venture Capital Association.
Familiarity with convertible debt, SAFEs, preferred equity issuances, and related financing tools.
Experience drafting transactional agreements and documents efficiently and clearly, managing closings, and working with Carta and/or other cap table management tools.
Versatility with Excel.
Strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Ability to work as part of a team while confidently assuming individual responsibility for matters involving direct client interaction.
Must be licensed in Illinois or Colorado, hold a UBE score qualifying for comity in Illinois or Colorado, be eligible to waive in, or be willing to sit for an upcoming Illinois or Colorado bar exam.

Nice To Haves

Additional experience in private funds, syndicated investment vehicles, and other pooled capital structures.
Experience with mergers and acquisitions in the venture capital ecosystem.
Experience drafting purchase and sale agreements, service level contracts, disclosure schedules, operating agreements, and other general corporate or transactional documents.
Experience drafting and reviewing loan agreements, security agreements, and other financing documents.
Understanding of issues facing clients whose primary asset is intellectual property, including IP ownership, IP development, licensing agreements, tax matters, and employee matters.
Additional background in corporate governance, corporate formation and reorganization, commercial contracts, joint ventures, and other broad-based corporate matters.

Responsibilities

Handle complex corporate and EC/VC transactions for clients across industries.
Draft transactional agreements and documents, manage closings, and work with cap table management tools.
Advise clients on legal matters throughout their life cycle, including as a business advisor.
Interact directly with clients and take individual responsibility for matters.
Contribute to business development.
Work collaboratively as part of a team.