Legal Counsel (M&A)

• As our M&A Legal Counsel, you will work directly under the Head of M&A and Finance Legal Counsel, based in Paris
• In close collaboration with our Business and Finance teams, you will be instrumental in structuring, drafting, and negotiating Mistral’s external growth transactions — from talent-driven acqui-hires and technology acquisitions to small-to-mid cap strategic deals
• Mistral operates at the frontier of AI, where the pace of innovation demands M&A speed and precision that matches the technology itself
• You will help shape our growth and business relationships that will define Mistral’s next chapter
• Draft, negotiate, and provide strategic advice on a wide range of M&A transactions, including acquisitions, acqui-hires, and other internal or external growth projects worldwide
• Take an active part in every stage of M&A transactions: deal structuring, due diligence, strategic negotiations, signing and closing
• Lead or coordinate legal due diligence processes, identifying and managing key legal risks across corporate, IP, employment, and regulatory workstreams
• Draft, negotiate, and advise on transaction documentation including LOIs, NDAs, SPAs, shareholders’ agreements, earn-out mechanisms, and post-closing arrangements
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including other corporate functions
• Build our internal templates, practices and guidelines for M&A documentation
• Support on other legal topics as needed, especially on the compliance front related to corporate matters (including labor law, insurances, Sapin II, etc.)

Benefits

• Competitive bonus structure
• Equity
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

Qualifications

• Great negotiation skills, with a history of successfully leading critical discussions with founders, boards, investors, and their advisors, balancing assertiveness with collaboration, and maintaining positive, long-term relationships with all stakeholders
• Strong experience in structuring and negotiating M&A transactions, including hands‑on experience leading large to mid‑cap acquisitions from due diligence through signing and closing
• An understanding of the tax implications of M&A structuring, allowing you to optimise outcomes and mitigate risks
• Sharp business acumen, honed through direct experience working within businesses—ideally across multiple industries—where you have delivered measurable impact and demonstrated a deep understanding of operational and strategic priorities
• International mindset: international experience is a plus
• Ethical awareness: a strong understanding of ethical considerations related to AI, such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and bias mitigation, is important
• Knowledge and usage of Artificial Intelligence: an understanding of AI technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing and their applications, is important
• Demonstrated ability to navigate cross‑border M&A structuring questions and multi‑jurisdictional transactions, including coordinating with local external counsel
• Familiarity with VC‑PE type transactions is highly valued: you understand sophisticated shareholders’ agreements, liquidation preferences, anti‑dilution provisions, management and employees’ incentive packages, as well as the governance dynamics of venture‑backed and PE‑backed companies
• Adaptability: proactive, flexible, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Bachelor degree or above (LLB, LLM, Juris Doctor preferred) from an accredited law school in France or another EU country. Admission to practice law in at least another jurisdiction, in particular in the USA, would be a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication in both English and French. Strong ability to present complex legal concepts in a clear and understandable manner to non‑legal stakeholders
• A minimum of 5‑8 years of relevant legal experience, including a minimum of 4 in an international law firm