M&A Associate (E&I)

Overview

Seeking a commercially minded M&A Associate to join a highly-ranked Energy & Infrastructure practice, at a leading US law firm. The successful candidate will advise sponsors, developers, utilities, infrastructure funds, lenders, and strategic investors on a broad range of domestic and cross-border transactions across the energy and infrastructure sectors. This role offers the opportunity to work on complex and high-profile transactions involving renewable energy, power generation, energy transition projects, utilities, transport, digital infrastructure, and other critical infrastructure assets. The associate will play a key role in transaction execution while working closely with partners, clients, and multidisciplinary teams across the firm.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise clients on mergers, acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, restructurings, and strategic investments within the energy and infrastructure sectors.
• Draft, review, and negotiate transaction documentation, including:
• Share Purchase Agreements (SPAs)
• Asset Purchase Agreements (APAs)
• Joint Venture Agreements
• Shareholders' Agreements
• Investment and Subscription Agreements
• Confidentiality Agreements and Letters of Intent
• Manage and coordinate legal due diligence exercises and prepare due diligence reports.
• Structure transactions and identify legal, regulatory, and commercial risks.
• Work closely with specialist teams including projects, finance, competition, regulatory, tax, and real estate.
• Support clients throughout the transaction lifecycle, from initial structuring through signing and completion.
• Advise on sector-specific matters relating to energy transition, renewables, power, utilities, transport, and infrastructure assets.
• Manage transaction processes, timelines, and workstreams while supervising junior lawyers and trainees.
• Participate in business development initiatives, client pitches, thought leadership, and industry events.

Candidate Requirements

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales (or equivalent common law jurisdiction).
• Typically 3-7 years' post-qualification experience (PQE) in corporate M&A gained at a leading law firm.
• Strong experience advising on private M&A transactions, ideally within the energy, infrastructure, or projects sectors.

Technical Skills

• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
• Strong understanding of corporate law, transaction structures, and deal execution.
• Familiarity with energy and infrastructure assets, project structures, and sector-specific regulatory considerations.
• Experience on cross-border transactions is advantageous.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially astute with strong business judgment.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong project management and organisational abilities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work across multiple practice areas and jurisdictions.

Preferred Sector Experience

• Experience advising on transactions involving:
• Renewable energy projects (solar, wind, battery storage, hydrogen)
• Conventional power generation assets
• Energy transition and decarbonisation projects
• Utilities and regulated assets
• Transport infrastructure
• Public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI) and concession-based projects
• Infrastructure funds and sponsor-backed investments