Senior Corporate Associate

We are seeking a Senior Corporate Associate with 5 to 7 years of experience to join our Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity teams in Raleigh, NC. You’ll work on sophisticated transactions for buyers, sellers, private equity sponsors, independent sponsors, and management teams — the same caliber of deals you’d see at a much larger firm, but with a seat at the table rather than a spot in the back of the data room. This is a role for an associate who wants to run deals, not just support them. You’ll work directly with partners on middle-market M&A, platform and add-on acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and acquisition financings across industries including architecture and engineering, technology, professional services, and manufacturing — with real client contact and the opportunity to lead transactions from the outset. A portable book of business is not required, and the position offers some work-from-home flexibility. Key Responsibilities Draft and negotiate purchase agreements, merger agreements, and letters of intent for asset and equity transactions on both the buy side and sell sideManage transactions day to day — coordinating due diligence, disclosure schedules, closing checklists, and ancillary documents from signing through closingRepresent private equity sponsors, independent sponsors, and portfolio companies in platform acquisitions, add-on acquisitions, and leveraged buyoutsSupport acquisition financings, recapitalizations, and related private capital transactions alongside the firm’s securities and financing attorneysAdvise on ownership succession and transition planning, including ESOP-related and founder-transition transactionsConduct and supervise legal due diligence, identifying and clearly communicating material issues to clients and deal teamsCoordinate with specialists in tax, employment, intellectual property, real estate, and regulatory matters to keep transactions movingCounsel clients in regulated and licensed industries, including architecture and engineering firms navigating multistate licensing requirements in transactionsDraft governance, equity, and corporate structuring documents, including operating agreements, shaCommunicate directly with clients, opposing counsel, lenders, and other deal professionals throughout the transaction lifecycle Required Qualifications J.D. from an accredited law school with a strong academic record5 to 7 years of experience working on sophisticated M&A and/or private equity transactions for buyers, sellers, and/or private equity sponsorsLicensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; must be willing and able to become licensed in North Carolina within one year of joining the firmStrong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skillsAbility to manage multiple transactions at once and to work effectively both independently and as part of a deal teamThe capability to lead transactions and serve as the primary day-to-day contact on deals Preferred Qualifications Large law firm training and deal experienceExperience supervising junior associates or paralegals on deal teamsExposure to private credit, acquisition financing, or other debt transactionsExperience with clients in architecture/engineering, technology, professional services, or manufacturing Why Join Morningstar Law Group Real Deal Responsibility: Substantive ownership of transactions and direct client relationships — not years of diligence review before you touch a purchase agreement.Direct Partner Access: Work side by side with experienced M&A and private equity partners, many of whom bring in-house, operational, accounting, and finance backgrounds to their practice.Sophisticated Work, Leaner Platform: A substantial national M&A and private equity practice handled by a collegial, low-bureaucracy team of 50+ professionals.Entrepreneurial Culture: A young, vibrant firm governed by consensus, with a flexible environment that lets attorneys work with clients in the way that’s most productive for them.Growth Path: A clear runway from leading deals to owning client relationships as the firm grows — and no portable book of business required.Compensation: Commensurate with experience and in line with other successful business law firms.Flexibility: Some work-from-home flexibility, with a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plan; and paid time off and holidays.