Employment Associate Attorney

Employment Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel is seeking an Employment Associate Attorney to join a prestigious Am Law firm in one of the following offices: Irvine (Orange County), Los Angeles, Menlo Park (Silicon Valley), New York City, San Francisco, or Santa Monica.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney with 3-5 years of employment law experience to join a highly regarded Employment Law practice. The role focuses on advising innovative technology companies, private equity firms, and other sophisticated employers on strategic workforce planning, employment counseling, and employment-related aspects of complex corporate transactions.

Responsibilities

• Advise employers on strategic workforce planning, hiring, reductions in force, employment policies, wage and hour compliance, restrictive covenants, and founder disputes.
• Counsel C-suite executives and human resources leaders on complex employment law issues and regulatory compliance.
• Advise clients on employment-related risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and post-closing workforce integration.
• Draft and negotiate employment agreements, separation agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, and other employment-related documents.
• Provide day-to-day employment counseling to clients on workplace issues and best practices.
• Partner with corporate deal teams to provide employment law support on transactional matters.
• Develop practical, business-focused solutions tailored to clients in the technology and private equity sectors.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while collaborating across multidisciplinary legal teams.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active membership in the California or New York State Bar, depending on office location.
• 3-5 years of employment law experience at a major law firm.
• Current experience practicing in a Chambers-ranked Labor & Employment group is required.
• Experience counseling employers on employment law compliance and workplace strategy.
• Experience supporting corporate transactions from an employment law perspective.
• Strong drafting, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Excellent academic credentials.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Sound professional judgment and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional client service and practical legal solutions.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $310,000-$390,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including:
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Mental health and wellness programs
• Child, family, elder, and pet care benefits
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Industry-leading parental leave
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Flexible Time Off (FTO) and paid holidays
• Annual discretionary performance bonus eligibility