Labor & Employment Transactional Associate

McGuireWoods is seeking a sharp, driven associate with 3-6 years of experience to join our Labor & Employment department, within a sophisticated transactional and advisory practice where employment law, executive mobility, and corporate dealmaking intersect.

This is not a traditional employment law role. Our team works at the center of high-stakes matters where personnel issues directly affect enterprise value, leadership stability, and post-closing integration. You will work closely with corporate deal teams, private equity sponsors, and corporate clients navigating workforce challenges that arise in connection with M&A transactions, leadership transitions, restrictive covenant enforcement, and other sensitive personnel issues that arise during and after transactions.

As an associate in this practice, you will work closely with our team on sophisticated employment matters that require strategic thinking, strong judgment, and the ability to move quickly. This is an opportunity to develop a practice that blends transactional work with strategic advisory and crisis management—and to do so in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment where your contributions will be visible and valued.

This position may be based in Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Chicago, or Dallas. McGuireWoods, one of the world’s leading law firms, has provided legal solutions to corporate, individual and nonprofit clients since 1834. Along with excellent benefits, McGuireWoods offers our attorneys a competitive salary with hours and merit bonus opportunities and billable hours credit for pro bono work. Continually establishing new initiatives and enhancing existing efforts, we focus on meaningful support for our lawyers in their careers. Our Applicant Disclosures describe your rights. Our Privacy Statement describes how we will process and safeguard your personal data.

Responsibilities Associates will work with deal teams and clients on a range of employment-related transactional matters, including:

• Supporting labor and employment diligence in mergers, acquisitions, and private equity investments
• Drafting and negotiating executive employment agreements, separation arrangements, and restrictive covenant agreements
• Advising on executive mobility issues, including the structuring and enforceability of non-competition and non-solicitation obligations
• Supporting post-transaction workforce integration, including executive transitions and sensitive personnel matters that arise following closing
• Partnering with senior executives and corporate leadership to advise on personnel and governance issues where discretion and strategic judgment are essential
• Collaborating with corporate deal teams and private equity sponsors on matters where employment issues affect transaction value and risk allocation

Job Requirements

• Qualified candidates will have 3-6 years of experience in labor and employment or corporate transactional practice, with demonstrated involvement in employment-related issues
• Experience supporting M&A transactions or private equity investments strongly preferred
• Strong drafting experience with employment agreements and restrictive covenant arrangements
• Must have excellent academic credentials
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work product under tight deadlines
• Ability to work effectively with corporate deal teams, private equity sponsors, and senior business leaders
• Ownership mindset with intellectual curiosity, strong problem-solving instincts, and the ability to analyze complex issues quickly and exercise sound judgment
• Willingness and desire to work with innovative technology platforms. Our attorneys leverage Harvey AI to accelerate research, streamline document drafting, and enhance analytical work, allowing associates to focus on higher-value strategic thinking and client engagement
• Candidates must be admitted to practice in the jurisdiction to which they are applying
• Please submit cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and writing sample

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