Special Counsel, Transactions – M&A, Bank Partnerships

Circle

. Support mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, asset purchases, and other strategic transactions .

Posted 10/16/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSeniorLead💰 $200,000 - $262,500 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive transactional legal expertise, particularly in mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions, and financial services. Proficient in drafting and negotiating complex agreements while leveraging AI technologies to enhance legal workflows and due diligence processes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Transactional Legal ExperienceMergers And Acquisitions (M&A)Drafting And Negotiating AgreementsGenerative AI FamiliarityCorporate And Commercial Law Knowledge

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Due DiligenceTransaction StructuringDrafting Definitive AgreementsNegotiating Term SheetsLegal CoordinationFinancial Services TransactionsRegulatory ComplianceRisk ManagementCorporate GovernanceAI-Enabled Workflows

Soft Skills

Excellent Written CommunicationExcellent Verbal CommunicationStrong OwnershipStrong OrganizationSound Business Judgment

Tools & Technologies

AI TechnologiesDiligence ToolsContract Review SoftwareDeal Tracking Systems

Certifications & Qualifications

J.D. or Foreign EquivalentActive Membership In U.S. State Bar

Industry Keywords

Financial TechnologyStablecoinsDigital AssetsBlockchain TechnologyStrategic Transactions

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, asset purchases, and other strategic transactions
Structure transactions and conduct due diligence
Draft definitive agreements and coordinate signing, closing, and integration matters
Advise on joint ventures, minority and venture investments, strategic partnerships with an equity component, and other non-ordinary-course transactions
Prepare and negotiate term sheets, investment agreements, side letters, and ancillary agreements
Structure, draft, and negotiate agreements with banks and financial institutions supporting reserve, treasury, and payments operations
Serve as a trusted partner to Corporate Development and Ventures, Treasury, and Financial Partnerships teams
Lead transactions involving Legal, Regulatory, Risk, Compliance, Tax, Corporate Governance, Product, and other stakeholders
Coordinate with outside counsel where appropriate
Support select commercial transactions involving products, services, or technology for banks and other financial institutions
Develop transaction templates, playbooks, diligence tools, processes, and metrics
Design and lead adoption of AI-enabled workflows across the Transactions team
Use AI and other technology to improve diligence, contract review, issues lists, drafting, deal tracking, and recurring workflows
Review and validate AI-assisted work product for accuracy, confidentiality, privilege, and risk
Help attorneys, interns, and business partners adopt effective AI-enabled practices

Requirements

What you’ll need

J.D. or foreign equivalent
Active membership in good standing of at least one U.S. State Bar
7+ years of transactional legal experience at a leading law firm, an in-house legal department, or a combination of both
Substantial experience with M&A and other corporate transactions, financial services transactions, or both
Experience structuring transactions, drafting first-turn agreements, leading negotiations and diligence, and independently driving complex matters through signing and closing
Strong working knowledge of corporate and commercial law
Sound business judgment
Ability to coordinate legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, securities, and operational considerations
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong ownership and organization
Ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously in a fast-moving environment
Demonstrated familiarity with and practical use of generative AI in legal or other professional workflows
Sound judgment about using AI, validating outputs, and protecting privileged, confidential, and material non-public information
Passion for Circle’s mission and values, financial technology, stablecoins, digital assets, and blockchain technology

Benefits

Comp & perks

Flexible work environment
Equal opportunity employment
Interview process accommodations for disabilities
Compensation package considerations based on relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, and business and organizational needs