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Entrepreneurial Ventures Associate | 3-5 Years | Chicago, IL | Hybrid | $225,000-$420,000 Base + Benefits & Bonuses | Chambers-ranked Am Law 100

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Chambers-ranked Am Law 100 global full-service law firm seeking an Entrepreneurial Ventures Associate with three to five years of experience to join its Chicago office on a hybrid basis.

This opportunity offers sophisticated venture capital and emerging-company work for founders, high-growth businesses and investors. The successful attorney will advise across the company life cycle, own key transaction workstreams and gain exposure to financings, governance and liquidity events.

Company Highlights

• Am Law 100 global platform

• Chambers-ranked Startups & Emerging Companies practice

• Chicago-headquartered firm with over 200 attorneys and deep roots in the city's business community

• Full-lifecycle counsel from formation through exit

• Company-side and investor-side venture capital work

• Strong links to Chicago's innovation ecosystem

• Partner access and meaningful associate responsibility

• Formal mentoring, coaching and mid-level training

• Wellbeing stipend and paid associate sabbatical

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is an opportunity to join a nationally recognised entrepreneurial ventures practice offering:

• Company-side and investor-side venture financings

• Exposure from formation and financings through exit

• Ownership of drafting, diligence and closings

• Direct access to partners, founders and investors

• High-growth and technology-sector exposure

• Structured mentoring and practical training

• Clear long-term progression and client development

The Role

The successful attorney will support and lead entrepreneurial ventures matters, including:

• Advise companies on formation, governance and equity matters

• Counsel founders, boards and investors on financings

• Draft and negotiate core financing and governance documents

• Support equity, debt and secondary transactions

• Work directly with clients from growth through exit

• Collaborate with tax, IP, privacy and M&A teams

• Manage diligence, signing and closing processes

• Advise on capital structure and investor rights

• Support M&A, joint ventures and liquidity events

The role offers direct partner and client collaboration, increasing responsibility and ownership of key workstreams.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking an Entrepreneurial Ventures Associate with:

• Three to five years of sophisticated corporate experience

• Venture capital and emerging-company experience

• Excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills

• Experience negotiating financing and governance documents

• Ability to manage multiple transactions and deadlines

• Excellent academic credentials and an accredited J.D from a top law school

• Illinois Bar admission

• Strong commercial judgement and client focus

Experience advising both companies and venture investors is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $225,000-$420,000, depending on class year, experience, qualifications and other relevant factors.

The firm also offers bonus eligibility, comprehensive health and insurance coverage, retirement benefits, paid time off, family support, professional development, wellbeing resources and pro bono opportunities.

Kindly apply with your resume. Should your experience align with the opportunity we will reach out to telephonically or via e-mail or LinkedIn to schedule a discreet call. All discussions will be handled in strict confidence.

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