Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices: 13 in the U.S., two in China, and two in Europe. Our broad spectrum of practices and entrepreneurial spirit allow exceptional opportunities for professional achievement and career growth.
We are seeking an experienced M&A attorney to join the firm as a full-time Practice Support Lawyer (PSL), embedded within our mergers and acquisitions practice group. This is a high-impact, non-billable role focused on elevating the quality, consistency, and efficiency of M&A practice across the firm.
This position is available on a hybrid or fully remote basis.
About the Role
As PSL, you will serve as a trusted resource and thought leader for attorneys at all levels, developing knowledge management infrastructure, driving practice innovation, and connecting the M&A group to broader firm initiatives. You will have no billable hour requirements or client representation responsibilities, allowing you to focus entirely on practice excellence.
Responsibilities
Knowledge Management & Resources
- Draft, maintain, and promote standard form agreements and key documents for the M&A practice
- Curate and continuously improve a library of high-quality precedents and samples, actively soliciting attorney feedback to refine resources
- Draft client alerts and external publications on significant M&A legal and market developments
Thought Leadership & Innovation
- Provide internal and external thought leadership on M&A practice developments, market trends, and legal landscape shifts
- Partner with the Chief Innovation Officer to identify and implement process improvements, new technologies, and AI tools that enhance M&A practice
- Stay current on developments across the legal industry and within Wilson Sonsini's other practice areas
AI Strategy & Implementation
- Serve as the M&A group's primary point of contact and internal champion for AI strategy, working closely with firm leadership, the Innovation team, and external vendors to evaluate and deploy AI tools tailored to M&A workflows
- Develop and maintain a group-wide AI roadmap, identifying high-value use cases across the deal lifecycle—including due diligence, contract review, drafting assistance, and deal benchmarking—and prioritizing implementation accordingly
- Lead pilot programs and structured rollouts of AI tools within the M&A practice, gathering attorney feedback, measuring impact, and iterating on adoption strategies
- Create practical guidance, playbooks, and training materials that help M&A attorneys at all levels integrate AI tools effectively and responsibly into their daily work
- Monitor the evolving landscape of legal AI technology and advise group leadership on emerging tools, competitive developments, and best practices at peer firms
- Identify and help mitigate risks associated with AI use in M&A practice, including issues related to confidentiality, accuracy, and professional responsibility obligations
- Collaborate with the Professional Development team to embed AI literacy into M&A training programs and onboarding frameworks
Training & Professional Development
- Collaborate with the Professional Development team to design, build, and maintain career development frameworks and training programs for M&A attorneys
Business Development & Events
- Work with the Marketing and Business Development team to keep the firm's external M&A resources current and compelling
- Organize and support external seminars, webinars, and other client-facing events on M&A topics
- Coordinate practice group meetings and represent the firm at major M&A conferences, reporting back on key takeaways
- Manage the firm's participation in the ABA and other relevant professional organizations
Qualifications
- J.D. degree is required
- Minimum five years of M&A-focused corporate practice at a law firm or comparable in-house environment
- Strong substantive knowledge of M&A transactions, deal structures, and documentation
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to build trusted relationships with attorneys and business professionals across all levels of the firm
- Interest in legal innovation, knowledge management, or practice development is a plus
The primary location for this job posting is in Palo Alto, but other locations may be listed. The actual base pay offered will depend upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, level of education, professional certifications and licenses, and work location. The anticipated pay range for this position is as follows:
Palo Alto, New York, San Francisco: $208,250 - $281,750 per year. Austin, Boston, Boulder, Century City, Delaware, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and all other locations: $187,850 - $254,150 per year.
The compensation for this position may include a discretionary year-end merit bonus based on performance. We offer a highly competitive salary and benefits package.
Benefits information can be found here. Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).