Corporate Associate - San Diego

Pay: $235,000.00 - $310,000.00 per year

Why This Is a Great Opportunity

• Work directly with high-growth startups and venture capital funds in a premier emerging companies practice
• Gain hands-on experience across venture financings and M&A with meaningful responsibility early on
• Enjoy daily client interaction with founders, executives, boards, and venture investors
• Build a highly transferable ECVC skill set in a collaborative, team-first environment
• Strong compensation with clear growth runway for junior and mid-level associates

Location

This role is based on-site in San Diego, offering the opportunity to work closely with a tight-knit corporate team in a highly collaborative office.

Note

This position requires prior large law firm corporate experience and active admission to the California Bar.

About Our Client

Our client is a premier business law firm that exclusively represents venture capital firms, emerging growth companies, and innovative businesses at every stage of growth. They are deeply embedded in the startup ecosystem and known for their practical, forward-thinking legal counsel and collaborative, entrepreneurial culture.

Job Description

• Counsel early-stage and high-growth companies on corporate and transactional matters
• Represent companies and venture capital funds in venture financing rounds
• Support mergers and acquisitions involving emerging growth companies
• Work directly with CEOs, boards of directors, and venture fund general partners
• Collaborate with senior attorneys on fast-paced, sophisticated transactions
• Develop trusted advisor relationships with clients in the startup ecosystem

Qualifications

• JD earned between 2022 and 2024
• Prior large law firm corporate experience
• Experience with venture capital financings and mergers and acquisitions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable in client-facing roles with senior executives and investors
• Admitted to the State Bar of California

Why Youll Love Working Here

• Entrepreneurial, team-oriented culture with minimal internal competition
• Early responsibility and consistent client exposure
• Strong mentorship and hands-on training
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge transactions in the innovation economy
• A firm that values collaboration, growth, and long-term career development

JPC-632

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Requirements: Must-haves (strict): JD in 2022 - 2024, CA bar. Must have large firm experience. Preferred - venture capital or emerging markets experience

• Additional context: Relocation- [no]. Packages - [no]

Submissions Name / [email protected] (Must submit cover letters, resumes, and transcripts with submissions)

Quick Recruiter Reference (Internal Summary)

Elite ECVC-focused firm hiring junior to mid-level corporate associate in San Diego. Requires a BigLaw corporate background with experience in VC financings and M&A. Heavy client exposure and strong development track.

Recruiters Submission: To submit, cancel - Corporate Associate (Junior/Mid-Level) - San Diego – Gunderson Dettmer - JPC 632 - Source

**New Job Order Alert**

• Client job title: Corporate Associate (Junior/Mid-Level) - San Diego

• Location: San Diego, CA

• On-site, hybrid, remote: On-Site

• Experience: 1

• Good fit job titles/keywords for candidates: Corporate Associate, Junior Corporate Associate, Mid-Level Corporate Associate, Venture Capital Associate, Emerging Companies Associate, ECVC Associate, M&A Associate, Startup Counsel Associate

• # of hires needed: 1

• Open or not to recruiters on TE: NO

• Job posting strategy (bottom of package details): Big law exp preferred, Jr/mid, but very hard. No contract. Must submit cover letter & transcript, good San Diego market