2027 Summer Associate – Mergers & Acquisitions

About the role

We seek law students eager to build a career in mergers and acquisitions within our nationally recognized corporate practice. This role is designed for candidates who may not have direct M&A experience yet but are highly motivated to develop deep expertise in this area.

Responsibilities

• Build a strong foundation for a long-term career in M&A through unique hands-on training and mentorship opportunities.
• Gain meaningful exposure to sophisticated clients and transactions.
• Develop excellent writing, oral communication, and analytical skills.
• Manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Work on a variety of complex legal matters under the guidance of experienced attorneys.

Requirements

• Excellent writing, oral communication, and analytical skills are essential.
• A demonstrated interest in corporate law particularly mergers and acquisitions.
• The ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Prior corporate or transactional experience is helpful but not required.

Qualifications

• JD 2028 students.
• Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, completed 1L law school transcript, and undergraduate transcript.
• Only apply to one office.

Skills

• Strong academic performance.
• Proven leadership and teamwork skills.
• Ability to handle complex legal matters.

Benefits

• Summer salary of $225,000 annually, with semi-monthly base pay of $9,375.00, subject to payroll withholdings and deductions.
• Opportunities for professional development and networking.
• Competitive benefits package.

Pay

• Annualized rate of $225,000.
• Semi-monthly base pay of $9,375.00.

Schedule

• Full-time summer associate position.

Cooley's M&A Practice

Since 2020, Cooley has handled 1,600+ M&A transactions, with an aggregate value of over $735 billion + , making our practice one of the most active in the world. We represent all categories of participants in transactions, including buyers, sellers, major stockholders, lenders, financial advisors, management, special board committees, venture capitalists, individual investors, private equity funds, hedge funds and others.

To learn more about our market-leading M&A practice, click here.