Mid-Level Labor and Employment Associate

We are working with several law firms in Chicago that are looking to add Labor & Employment Associates to their practices. These opportunities are primarily management-side and offer a mix of employment litigation and day-to-day counseling work for employers across a range of industries. Experience Ideally 3 to 6 years of Labor & Employment experience, although there may be flexibility depending on the candidate's background. Candidates should have experience in some combination of: Employment counseling and compliance Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims Wrongful termination matters Wage and hour disputes Class and collective actions Restrictive covenants and trade secret matters EEOC and other administrative agency charges Workplace investigations Employee discipline and terminations Leaves of absence and accommodations Employment policies and handbooks Employment agreements and separation agreements Experience with traditional labor matters, including collective bargaining, grievances, union issues, and unfair labor practice proceedings, is a plus but is not required for every opportunity. Litigation Responsibilities Depending on the firm and seniority level, associates may: Defend employers in state and federal court Handle matters before the EEOC, DOL, NLRB, and state or local agencies Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and position statements Manage written discovery and document production Take and defend depositions Interview witnesses and assist with workplace investigations Participate in mediations, arbitrations, and settlement negotiations Assist with or take responsibility for trial preparation Manage matters with increasing independence and direct client contact Counseling Responsibilities Associates may also advise employers on: Hiring and termination decisions Employee discipline and performance issues Disability accommodations and the interactive process FMLA and other leave issues Wage and hour compliance Workplace policies and employee handbooks Harassment and discrimination complaints Internal workplace investigations Reductions in force and workforce restructuring Restrictive covenants and employee mobility Employment and separation agreements Compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws Qualifications Approximately 3 to 6 years of Labor & Employment experience Management-side experience preferred Employment litigation and/or counseling experience Strong legal research and writing skills Experience drafting substantive motions and other litigation documents Ability to communicate directly with clients and provide practical employment advice Strong case and matter management skills J.D. from an accredited law school Illinois Bar admission or ability to become admitted The Opportunities The firms we are working with offer different combinations of: Employment litigation and counseling work Greater responsibility over matters Wage and hour and class action experience Workplace investigations Traditional labor exposure Partnership-track opportunities Competitive compensation Hybrid flexibility Different billable-hour expectations and firm cultures Because we are working across several Labor & Employment practices in Chicago, we can discuss which opportunities best align with your litigation experience, counseling background, compensation expectations, billable-hour preferences, and long-term career goals. #J-18808-Ljbffr Verital Advisory Search