Employment Litigation Associate Attorney (Defense)

Job Description

Job Description

Employment Associate Attorney

Los Angeles, California | Palo Alto, California | San Diego, California | San Francisco, California

Direct Counsel is seeking an Employment Associate Attorney to join a leading Am Law firm in one of its California offices, with opportunities available in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, San Diego, and San Francisco . This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney with 2+ years of labor and employment experience who is looking to build a sophisticated practice spanning both high-stakes litigation and day-to-day counseling matters .

The ideal candidate will have strong experience handling a broad range of California employment matters, including wage and hour class, collective, and PAGA actions , as well as single-plaintiff litigation and strategic advice and counsel work . This role offers meaningful client interaction, substantive responsibility, and exposure to complex workplace issues for high-profile employers.

Key Responsibilities

• Defend wage and hour class, collective, and PAGA actions
• Handle single-plaintiff employment litigation
• Advise on meal and rest break claims
• Manage misclassification and off-the-clock disputes
• Counsel clients on bonus, commission, and wage payment issues
• Defend claims involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination
• Advise on restrictive covenants and employee mobility matters
• Support reductions in force and workforce restructurings
• Draft and negotiate employment, separation, and severance agreements
• Counsel employers on employee policies, trainings, leave issues, and compensation practices

Qualifications

• 2+ years of labor and employment experience
• Strong knowledge of California Labor Code and federal employment laws
• Experience defending class actions, collective actions, and PAGA claims
• Practice experience before state and federal courts and administrative agencies
• Excellent legal research, writing, drafting, and litigation management skills
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Demonstrated business judgment and client counseling ability
• Active California Bar admission required
• Trial experience highly preferred

Compensation

$235,000 – $365,000 , commensurate with experience and qualifications.

This is a standout opportunity to join a top-tier national employment platform handling sophisticated California employment litigation and counseling matters, with substantial strategic responsibility and direct client exposure.