Labor and Employment Counsel

People Placers Staffing is highly privileged to represent a premier legal client in their search for top-tier litigation talent to join their sophisticated and growing defense practice.

§ Title: Senior Associate / Counsel - Labor & Employment Defense Practice Area: Management-Side Labor & Employment Litigation / Class Action & PAGA

§ Location: Irvine, California OR Los Angeles, California ( Hybrid Flexibility )

§ Salary: $150,000 to $215,000 Base Salary (Plus lucrative discretionary bonuses and competitive equity structures)

§ Schedule: Full-time, Direct-Hire, Minimum 1,800 hours annual billed target (with a 1,900-hour accelerated compensation track available).

The Firm: Our distinguished client is a premier, California-wide boutique law firm founded by former AmLaw 100 partners who sought to combine sophisticated, high-stakes litigation experience with a deeply collaborative and entrepreneurial environment. With approximately fifty attorneys across multiple offices, this firm exclusively champions employers, from innovative startups to Fortune 500 enterprises, in navigating the complexities of California workplace laws. They are renowned for their transparent path to partnership and an egalitarian, family-like culture where partners actively litigate alongside associates rather than simply managing from afar. The firm heavily invests in its legal talent through bespoke mentorship programs, dedicated monthly associate development workshops, and firm-wide annual retreats, making it an exceptional long-term home for an attorney seeking substantial professional growth and amazing mentorship .

Duties:

The incoming Labor and Employment Associate will be an integral asset to the defense litigation team, steering complex matters from inception through resolution. This is a hands-on role designed for a decisive litigator who craves substantive courtroom and arbitration experience rather than endless document review. Core responsibilities include:

Day-to-Day:

⨖ Running Active Litigation Matters day-to-day, expertly managing everything from single-plaintiff discrimination and harassment claims to high-exposure PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) and wage-and-hour class actions.

⨖ Spearheading Comprehensive Discovery phases, which involves strategically drafting and arguing complex motions, as well as thoroughly taking and defending pivotal depositions.

⨖ Gaining Substantive Trial Experience by routinely second-chairing federal and state jury trials, arbitrations, and prominently arguing summary judgment motions before the court.

⨖ Delivering Strategic Counsel directly to corporate clients, advising business owners, human resources executives, and in-house counsel on multifaceted workplace compliance and risk mitigation.

⨖ Collaborating with Senior Partners to architect and execute winning case strategies, while actively participating in the firm's robust mentorship and professional development initiatives.

Qualifications:

Candidates must possess a steadfast commitment to defense-side advocacy and the technical acumen required to immediately contribute to a fast-paced litigation docket.

⨖ Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school with commendable academic achievements.

⨖ Active Bar Membership in good standing within the State of California.

⨖ Three (3) to Seven (7) Years of post-bar experience specifically dedicated to California labor and employment defense litigation.

⨖ Exclusive defense-side background, as candidates with plaintiff-side employment experience will not be considered for this specific strategic alignment.

⨖ Demonstrated proficiency in independent case management, motion practice, and the entire lifecycle of civil discovery.

Skills:

The following qualifications are highly desirable and would significantly elevate an applicant's candidacy:

⨖ Advanced litigation exposure to complex PAGA representative actions and wage-and-hour class action defense.

⨖ Prior real-world business experience obtained before attending law school, providing a mature, commercially aware perspective when counseling corporate clients.

⨖ Judicial clerkship experience at the federal or state appellate level, showcasing exceptional legal research and writing capabilities.

⨖ A collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a proven desire to integrate into a long-term, supportive firm culture rather than frequently transitioning between practices.

!Notice¡ *This a job advertisement on behalf of our client and does not reflect the full job description for the role. Any qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. You will need to provide law school transcripts, a writing sample or deal sheets, and a cover letter in order to be considered for this role. This posting does not constitute an offer of employment. and the listed compensation details may vary by state or experience and will be discussed thoroughly during interview phase.