Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Associate

Gould & Ratner LLP is seeking an Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Associate to join its Corporate Practice. The ideal candidate will have 5-8 years of experience working with early stage and growth stage companies, founders and venture capital firms and the ability to act as lead attorney on a range of EC/VC transactions. In addition, this attorney should have significant experience with transactional and corporate governance matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate structure (formation and reorganization), corporate contracts (operating agreements, license agreements, service contacts, buy/sell agreements etc.), joint ventures, divestitures and private equity.

Requirements

• Experience with M&A transactions in the technology and venture capital spaces.
• Familiarity with convertible debt, preferred equity issuances and related financing tools.
• Fund formation experience, including experience structuring funds, management entities and carried interest holding structures.
• Familiarity with regulatory matters facing funds and issuers, including the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, The Securities Act of 1933, Reg D safe-harbors and state blue sky law compliance.
• Familiarity and experience with the forms published by the National Venture Capital Association.
• Understanding of the issues facing clients whose primary asset is intellectual property, including IP ownership, IP development, licensing agreements, tax matters, employee matters and similar concepts.
• Experience with the ESG, clean-technology, blockchain, Web 3 and cryptocurrency spaces is a plus.
• Experience drafting transaction agreements and documents with efficiency and clarity, negotiating deal terms, managing transaction closings and processes, and providing thorough factual and legal research and analysis. • Ability to lead, negotiate, manage and close complex transactions.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. The ideal candidate will be an integral part of the team and will have the confidence and demeanor to interact and build relationship with the Firm’s clients. This attorney will serve as business advisor to clients, guiding them in a full range of legal matters throughout their life cycle.
• Candidates must be currently licensed in Illinois or licensed in another state with a UBE score that qualifies in Illinois for comity, be eligible to waive in, or be willing to sit for an upcoming IL bar exam (open to relocation candidates that meet these requirements).

Benefits

• This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who is highly motivated and seeking a positive career trajectory. This attorney will gain direct client interaction, business development experience and significant responsibility on complex and sophisticated legal matters.

• Commitment to mentorship, training, and professional development with an achievable path to partnership. When you join Gould & Ratner, you are not just getting a job – you are building a career. You will work together with G&R colleagues and partner with clients to hone your skills as a business lawyer.
• Opportunity to step into meaningful client relationships and be a key component of the Firm’s succession planning efforts.
• Low turnover, collegial and collaborative environment.
• Healthcare (medical, vision, dental), life and disability insurance.
• Competitive compensation, benefits package, pension plan and a generous 401k plan.
• Paid maternity and paternity leave.
• Employee discounts (e.g., commuter benefits) and wellness programs (e.g., in-office gym and massages; 24/7 tele-medicine).
• Hybrid in-office/remote role based in our Chicago office.