Overview
Whistler Partners is partnering with a rapidly growing, company-side venture group that launched just three years ago and is already advising over 20 unicorn startups plus a tight roster of repeat-founder clients. The team is lean, highly collaborative, and built around a founder-friendly, company-centric model---no VC referral machine, no high-volume churn, and no "form factory" workflow.
This is a standout opportunity for associates who want to do sophisticated venture and strategic company-building work with real client access and meaningful ownership.
Why this role?
This group is different from traditional venture and M&A platforms.
Instead of running standardized NVCA forms all day, the team specializes in custom agreements for unicorn startups, with more nuanced provisions, longer negotiation timelines, and higher-value strategic work. You'll be embedded in client conversations early and often---partners are deeply involved, hierarchy is flat, and associates are treated like true extensions of the client team.
The culture is demanding but genuinely fun: strong camaraderie, transparency, and real connection (including annual team trips). And unlike many elite corporate teams, this one is fully remote-friendly by design---remote preference is not a red flag here.
Key Responsibilities
- Advise high-growth, venture-backed companies and repeat founders through key inflection points (often starting pre--first financing round and continuing through Series A and beyond).
- Draft and negotiate customized venture and commercial agreements for unicorn and near-unicorn startups.
- Partner directly with founders and in-house stakeholders as strategic outside counsel---not just papering deals.
- Work closely with partners in a flat team environment where associates are included in core client discussions.
- Develop strong deal judgment and client management skills through high-touch partner involvement and repeat exposure.
- Collaborate with a dedicated M&A support team when needed, without being required to become an M&A specialist.
Top Requirements
- 3-5 years of corporate/ECVC experience.
- Strong corporate foundation and high-quality drafting experience.
- Interest in company-side work and founder-facing advisory relationships.
- Comfortable working in a highly collaborative, conversational environment with real client exposure.
- A "builder" mindset: proactive, high-ownership, thrives in a fast-paced setting.
- Candidates from elite corporate platforms (or similarly rigorous training) are strongly preferred---especially associates looking to retool into a venture/unicorn advisory seat.
Location / Flexibility
- Fully remote-friendly and already operating seamlessly in a distributed model.
TL;DR
Remote-friendly venture group advising over 20 unicorns repeat founders. Company-side only, flat hierarchy, real client access, and more custom/high-value unicorn work (not just NVCA forms). High expectations strong culture real growth runway.
About Whistler Partners
Matchmakers, Not Headhunters
Whistler Partners is a boutique matchmaking firm focused on counseling the best and the brightest attorneys over the course of their careers. We believe that the right move comes from working closely with talent to curate their long-term career paths. When it comes to career advice, what matters is not the size of the agency but the strength of your individual recruiter.
We readily admit that we are elite and only work with the best -- after all, a little elitism is okay when it comes to your career. Employers love us because we are picky about whom we represent, and attorneys love us because we get them their dream jobs.