Legal Associate at Aekom Legal [PQE 2-3 Yrs, M&A]
Role Overview:
A Legal Associate in M&A at Aekom Legal is primarily responsible for assisting in corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and related corporate restructuring. At 2–3 years PQE (Post-Qualification Experience), the associate is expected to have hands-on exposure to transactional work, drafting, and legal research while still operating under the guidance of senior associates or partners.
Key Responsibilities:
Transaction Support:
Conducting due diligence for M&A deals, including reviewing corporate documents, contracts, licenses, and regulatory filings of target companies.
Preparing due diligence reports highlighting potential legal risks, liabilities, and compliance issues.
Assisting in deal structuring, including stock purchases, asset purchases, mergers, or joint ventures.
Drafting & Review:
Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating key transaction documents such as:
Share Purchase Agreements (SPA)
Shareholders’ Agreements (SHA)
Employment agreements, non-compete agreements
Transactional schedules and closing documents
Ensuring documents comply with applicable laws, corporate governance norms, and client-specific requirements.
Regulatory Compliance:
Assisting clients in obtaining approvals from regulators or government authorities (like Competition Commission, RBI, SEBI, etc., depending on the deal structure).
Reviewing licenses, contracts, and compliance records of the target company.
Legal Research & Advisory:
Conducting research on corporate law, securities law, competition law, and other laws relevant to the transaction.
Advising clients on legal implications, risks, and mitigation strategies for the transaction.
Coordination & Communication:
Coordinating between internal teams, clients, and external counsel.
Preparing internal memos summarizing key findings or updates.
Supporting negotiation sessions with counterparties or clients.
Skills & Competencies Required:
Strong M&A Knowledge: Understanding of corporate law, securities law, competition law, and corporate governance.
Drafting Skills: Ability to draft and review contracts, agreements, and corporate documents accurately.
Due Diligence Expertise: Ability to identify legal risks in corporate transactions.
Analytical Thinking: Evaluating complex legal issues and providing clear advice.
Communication Skills: Effective written and verbal communication for client interactions and internal reporting.
Time Management: Handling multiple deals and tasks efficiently under tight deadlines.
Typical Career Path:
PQE 2–3 years: Legal Associate, focusing on deal execution and drafting.
PQE 4–6 years: Senior Associate, taking lead on deals and client interactions.
PQE 7+ years: Counsel or Partner, managing teams and client portfolios.
Work Environment:
Fast-paced transactional work with high attention to detail.
Collaboration with senior associates, partners, clients, and occasionally other law firms.
Work can be demanding, especially around deal closings, requiring flexibility and long hours.
Summary:
A Legal Associate at Aekom Legal with 2–3 years’ experience in M&A acts as a key executor in transactions: conducting due diligence, drafting documents, managing regulatory compliance, and supporting deal structuring. While guided by senior lawyers, the associate is expected to be proactive, legally thorough, and client-focused, preparing for a future leadership role in corporate law.
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