Interested in practicing in the Mergers and Acquisitions area? Here’s what you have to look forward to…

The role of new associates in mergers and acquisitions includes locating information and documents relevant to the acquisition or merger as preparation for performing due diligence. This might include a review of the latest news and developments in corporate restructuring for the target company’s industry. First year associates might also conduct some due diligence by reviewing relevant documents and related information. They draft documents ancillary to the merger or acquisition agreement, such as corporate resolutions approving the merger or acquisition, assignment agreements authorizing a new entity to takeover a commercial lease agreement, documents relating to the consideration to be paid (including promissory notes, security agreements, guarantees, escrow or pledge agreements), registration rights agreements with respect to securities issued as consideration, and employment agreements with key officers, consulting agreements or “lock-up” letters. First year associates also prepare the documentation necessary to set up a new business entity depending upon the terms or structure of the merger transaction. New attorneys learn about negotiating strategies, techniques, and tactics and begin the process of understanding the execution and filing requirements for corporate restructuring and the relevant regulations and guidelines at the federal and state levels. Associates with four or more years of experience generally participate in the structuring of deals.