Assistant General Counsel, M&A

Location: Santa Clara, CA, United States; Hybrid

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

M&A and Strategic Transactions

• Serve as the Company’s primary M&A lawyer supporting corporate development and integration teams across multiple transactions. 
• Responsible for the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, joint ventures, equity investments, and other strategic transactions. 
• Advise corporate development, and other stakeholders on critical legal, regulatory, governance, financial, and business risks associated with such transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate letters of intent, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, exclusivity agreements, purchase agreements, disclosure schedules, transition services agreements, joint venture agreements, and other transaction documents.
• Manage legal due diligence, identify material legal risks, and coordinate diligence findings with internal stakeholders and external advisors.
• Support transaction approvals and governance processes, including preparation of resolutions, written consents, and board and committee materials as needed.
• Manage antitrust, competition, foreign investment, regulatory, employment, benefits, data privacy, intellectual property, and other legal issues arising in connection with strategic transactions. 
• Support integration planning, separation matters, and post-closing legal implementation activities.
• Develop and refine transaction templates, playbooks, and internal processes to improve efficiency and consistency in deal execution.
• Monitor transaction milestones, critical deadlines, and closing deliverables.

 

Education & Experience

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• At least 6 years of law firm experience focused on mergers and acquisitions and other strategic transactions, preferably for public companies. In-house experience with a publicly traded, multinational company, with demonstrated responsibility for high-value domestic and cross-border transactions preferred.
• Significant experience drafting transaction documents for complex domestic and cross-border deals and leading due diligence.
• Strong understanding of corporate law, deal structuring, legal due diligence, corporate governance, and post-closing implementation.
• Ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously and drive execution across cross-functional teams.
• Excellent judgment, business-oriented counseling skills, and strong written and verbal communication skills.

 

Skills

• In house experience at a publicly traded, multinational company, preferably supporting corporate development.
• Experience supporting public company transactions and governance matters.
• Familiarity with securities law, disclosure obligations, and corporate governance requirements relevant to strategic transactions.
• M&A and strategic transaction expertise.
• Strong drafting skills.
• Corporate governance knowledge.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Process discipline and compliance focus.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with business leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Effective management and execution of M&A and other strategic transactions.
• Accurate, timely, and practical legal support for transaction structuring, negotiation, and closing.
• Strong coordination of internal stakeholders and external counsel across deal workstreams.
• Well-managed transaction timelines, approvals, and documentation.
• Sound risk identification and commercially effective legal guidance.

 

Working Conditions

• Hybrid office environment with regular use of computers, virtual meeting platforms, and standard office equipment.
• Will require domestic and international travel to support transactions, negotiations, regulatory matters, and integration activities.
• Must be able to work extended or nonstandard hours as needed to meet critical transaction deadlines across multiple time zones.

 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain seated and work at a computer for extended periods, with frequent use of a keyboard, mouse, and telephone.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and virtually and occasionally lift or carry office materials weighing up to 10 pounds.

 

Safety Requirements

 

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

 

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. Its an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.


Job Summary: The Assistant General Counsel, M&A supports the company’s strategic growth and corporate development activities through legal leadership on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, minority investments, and other strategic transactions. This role serves as a key member of the Corporate Legal team and is responsible for due diligence, structuring, managing, and executing complex domestic and international transactions, while partnering closely with business leaders, finance, tax, treasury, human resources, compliance, and external counsel. The role is focused on transaction execution, legal risk management, and post-closing integration support.