ASCENDUS LAW PARTNERS | SENIOR ASSOCIATE (SA1 & SA2) GENERAL CORPORATE & M&A |
Detailed Job Description
Office Location: Noida / Mumbai, India (candidate is required to be located in either Delhi NCR or Mumbai)
Indicative PQE:
SA1: 4 - 5 years
SA2: 5 - 6 years
in a corporate / M&A team of a law firm or a active in-house team.
Key Responsibilities
1. Transaction Execution and Management - M&A / PE, VC
Work on and gradually lead execution of share purchases and secondary transfers, primary investments, business / asset transfers and slump sales, joint ventures and strategic partnerships.
Supervise and conduct legal due diligence exercises - prepare requisition lists, review documents, identify legal issues, and draft clear, comprehensive, commercially-oriented DD reports.
Assist on structuring deals (Companies Act, FEMA, sectoral laws etc).
Draft, review and negotiate transaction documents, including, share purchase / share subscription / shareholders agreements, JV and business transfer agreements, term sheets, closing documents etc.
Prepare and review corporate actions required for closings: board and shareholder resolutions, notices and explanatory statements; share certificates, registers and filings (in coordination with company secretarial teams).
Coordinate with clients, counterparties, advisors and internal teams to manage timelines and drive signings/closings.
2. General Corporate & Regulatory Advisory
- Advise on day-to-day corporate issues under the Companies Act, including: board/shareholder processes and records, related party transactions, loans/guarantees; issue and transfer of securities, buyback, ESOPs; corporate reorganisations and governance.
- Support on FEMA / foreign investment aspects of transactions (entry routes, sectoral caps, reporting and compliance).
- Draft and review commercial contracts, such as services agreements, distribution/franchise agreements, supply contracts, NDAs and basic employment/ESOP documentation.
- Prepare notes, opinions and email advice.
3. Client & Team Responsibilities
- Act as a day-to-day point of contact for clients on matters.
- Guide and review the work of associates and trainees; provide feedback and help them grow.
- Support partners in matter management.
- Assist the team in business development initiatives, including, contributing to pitch decks, attending industry conferences, and contributing to firm thought leadership (articles/blogs).
Desired Candidate Profile
Essentials
- LL.B. / integrated law degree from a recognised university.
- Enrolled with a State Bar Council in India.
- Strong experience in general corporate and M&A / PE / VC with a reputable law firm or in-house team.
Technical Skills
- Understanding of: Companies Act and rules; FEMA and foreign investment rules; familiarity / prior experience with SEBI / listing and sectoral regulations is an advantage, not a must; familiarity with AIF regulations is an advantage, not a must; familiarity / prior experience with intellectual property and data privacy matters is an advantage, not a must.
- Demonstrated experience in drafting and negotiating: transaction documents (SPA, SSA, SHA, JV); conducting legal due diligences; core corporate and commercial contracts.
- Comfort with cap tables and investment structures.
- Strong research and writing skills; ability to turn complex issues into clear, actionable advice for clients.
Soft Skills & Fit
- Proficiency in written and spoken English.
- High attention to detail and ownership mindset.
Ability to work in a lean team, manage priorities and stay organised across matters.
- Collaborative and comfortable working directly with partners and clients in a non-hierarchical environment.
What We Offer
- A genuinely partner-led environment with direct visibility and feedback from partners and direct access to decision-makers and clients.
- Opportunity to work on varied, corporate and M&A matters across sectors, without being siloed.
- Scope to take ownership early, lead matters and grow within the practice.
- A collaborative and non-hierarchical culture, with focus on quality, learning and long-term growth rather than just headcount and hours.
- Flexibility with remote working based on firm policies.
