About the role
Life Sciences Transactions Associate | San Francisco, CA | Firm Policy | 4–8 Years' Experience | $260,000–$420,000 Base + Benefits & Bonuses | Am Law 20
Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 20 global full-service law firm seeking a Life Sciences Transactions Associate to join its San Francisco, CA office.
This opportunity offers strategic collaborations, licensing, financing, M&A and other transactions across the life-sciences ecosystem for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical-device and other research-driven companies and investors within a nationally recognised life sciences transactions practice. The successful attorney will work closely with partners and senior lawyers, take ownership of substantive matters and gain exposure to high-value work, important clients and cross-practice collaboration.
Company Highlights
- Am Law 20 global platform recognised for elite transactional, regulatory and litigation capabilities
- Work for leading public companies, private-equity sponsors, financial institutions and innovative businesses
- Recognised strength in life sciences transactions and complementary corporate, regulatory or litigation disciplines
- Established teams advising biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical-device and other research-driven companies and investors on complex, high-value matters
- Comprehensive departmental bootcamps and substantive practice training
- Access to partner mentors, confidential coaching and extensive continuing legal education
- Integrated global teams and opportunities to collaborate across practices and offices
- Strong reputation for legal excellence, commercial judgment and high-impact advocacy
- Substantive pro bono opportunities and long-term support for varied career paths
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
This is an opportunity to join a well-established life sciences transactions practice offering:
- Sophisticated life-sciences collaborations and strategic transactions
- Exposure across licensing, financing, M&A and commercialisation matters
- Meaningful ownership of drafting and negotiation workstreams
- Direct access to partners, business teams and in-house counsel
- Cross-practice collaboration across corporate, IP and regulatory disciplines
- Strong scientific, commercial and strategic development
- A credible route to long-term advancement in a specialised practice
The Role
The successful attorney will support and lead key components of life sciences transactions matters, including:
- Draft and negotiate licensing and collaboration agreements
- Support acquisitions, financings and strategic investments
- Advise on research, development and commercialisation arrangements
- Assist with intellectual-property and commercial diligence
- Counsel on manufacturing, supply and distribution arrangements
- Coordinate corporate, patent, regulatory and tax input
- Work directly with business-development and in-house legal teams
- Manage transaction processes and multiple negotiation workstreams
- Provide practical advice on commercial and strategic risk
The role offers direct collaboration with partners, senior lawyers and clients, together with increasing responsibility and opportunities to take ownership of important workstreams.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The firm is seeking a life sciences transactions associate with:
- Approximately 4–8 years of life-sciences transactions, corporate or technology-transactions experience
- Experience with sophisticated commercial, licensing or strategic transaction documents
- Understanding of life-sciences business and intellectual-property considerations
- Strong drafting, analytical and organisational skills
- Ability to manage multiple negotiations and transaction timelines
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills
- Strong academic credentials and sophisticated law-firm experience
- Admission to the California Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly
Experience with biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical-device or digital-health clients is strongly preferred.
Compensation and Benefits
The anticipated base salary range is $260,000–$420,000, depending on class year, experience, location, qualifications and other relevant factors.
The firm also offers bonus eligibility, comprehensive health and insurance benefits, retirement support, paid time off, professional-development resources, wellbeing programmes and pro bono opportunities.
Kindly apply with your resume. Should your experience align with the opportunity, we will contact you by telephone, email or LinkedIn to schedule a discreet call. All discussions will be handled in strict confidence.
Relevant search terms: Life Sciences Transactions Associate, Life Sciences Transactions, San Francisco, CA, Am Law 20, Attorney Jobs, LifeSciences, TechnologyTransactions, CorporateLaw, Law Firm Associate, Legal Recruiting
#LawJobs #AttorneyJobs #AmLawCareers #LegalRecruiting #LifeSciences #TechnologyTransactions #CorporateLaw #SanFranciscoJobs
Millions of jobs, with real people getting hired every day
Questions, answered
Click "Apply with JobAssist" – we tailor your resume and application to this role and submit it for your approval.
Yes. This role at Watts & Associates Recruitment was screened before publishing – we confirmed the employer before listing it.
The employer didn't disclose a salary range for this listing. JobAssist shows pay whenever it's available.
This position can be done from anywhere, with no in-office requirement.
Yes – every application is tailored from your profile and this job's requirements, and you can review and edit before it's sent.