Senior Associate

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.