ECVC Associate Attorney
Job Description:
ECVC Associate Attorney
Location: San Francisco, California
Employment Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2–3 days onsite required)
Compensation: $310,000 – $435,000 annually
Openings: 2
Position Overview
HireNow Staffing is conducting a confidential search for a highly accomplished Emerging Companies & Venture Capital (ECVC) Associate Attorney to join a nationally recognized corporate practice in San Francisco.
This opportunity is reserved for attorneys with meaningful venture capital and emerging company transactional experience who are comfortable taking ownership of sophisticated matters and serving as a primary point of contact for founders, executive leadership teams, and institutional investors.
Candidates must demonstrate consistent professional progression within top-tier law firms. Resumes reflecting short-term tenures or frequent transitions will not be considered.
Core Responsibilities
Transaction Leadership
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Lead and manage venture capital financings from initial term sheet through closing.
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Draft and negotiate SAFEs, preferred stock purchase agreements, investor rights agreements, voting agreements, and related documentation.
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Advise founders and boards on governance structures, equity issuances, and strategic growth initiatives.
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Support mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, and exit transactions.
Emerging Company Representation
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Counsel high-growth companies at all lifecycle stages, including formation, seed, Series A–D financings, and pre-IPO preparation.
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Structure capitalization tables and equity incentive plans.
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Provide strategic guidance on operational and governance matters.
Investor-Side Advisory
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Represent venture capital funds and institutional investors in financing rounds and portfolio investments.
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Conduct diligence reviews and assess transaction risk.
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Advise on portfolio company governance and follow-on investments.
Client & Ecosystem Engagement
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Interface directly with founders, CEOs, boards, and in-house counsel.
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Coordinate cross-functional legal support across tax, IP, executive compensation, and regulatory disciplines.
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Manage multiple concurrent transactions with precision and responsiveness.
Required Qualifications (Non-Negotiable)
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4–8 years of corporate law experience with a primary focus on ECVC and/or M&A transactions.
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Current experience at an Am Law 50 firm.
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Substantial experience representing emerging growth companies and/or venture capital investors.
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Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex transactions.
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Strong academic credentials from an accredited law school.
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Active California Bar admission or eligibility to waive in promptly.
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Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
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Consistent employment history with stable tenure.
Preferred Qualifications (Strongly Emphasized)
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Experience advising companies in technology, AI, digital health, life sciences, fintech, defense tech, or similar innovation-driven industries.
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Direct exposure to board-level advisory work.
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Experience managing junior associates and transaction teams.
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Demonstrated ability to cultivate long-term client relationships.
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Familiarity with private company capitalization structures and investor-side portfolio strategy.
Disqualifying Factors
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No current or recent Am Law 50 experience.
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No direct venture capital or emerging company transactional exposure.
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Primarily litigation-based background.
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Inability to work onsite in San Francisco per hybrid policy.
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Pattern of employment tenures under 1.5 years.
Compensation & Structure
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Base Salary: $310,000 – $435,000 annually (commensurate with experience)
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Hybrid schedule requiring regular onsite presence in San Francisco
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Full benefits package