Employment Attorney (Austin or Dallas, TX)

Job Description

Job Description

Salary range: $180K - $225K

Location: Austin, TX; Dallas, TX

Visa Sponsorship Details: Not open to any visas (e.g., U.S. citizens, green card holders)

On-site work policy: 4 days in-office in Austin or Dallas, TX (Austin preferred); hybrid flexibility after ramp-up, ~3 days/week

About this role

We are looking for an Employment Attorney with at least 7 years of experience to serve as a key legal advisor to a growing portfolio of startups, venture-backed companies, and M&A clients at one of Texas's most exciting boutique firms. This is a new position driven by real demand — you'll work directly alongside an equity partner in Austin, with genuine autonomy, meaningful client relationships, and a culture that actually walks the talk on work-life balance.

What will you be doing?

• Serving as primary counsel on a wide range of employment matters — from hiring practices and separations to restrictive covenants and multi-state compliance

• Conducting employment law diligence on M&A transactions, including review of employment agreements, worker classification, and benefits obligations

• Drafting and negotiating employment agreements, severance packages, non-competes, and equity compensation documents across multiple jurisdictions

• Managing client relationships directly — advising startups, PE-backed platforms, and executives with proactive, commercially practical counsel

• Mentoring junior attorneys and contributing to cross-practice matters and business development

Key Requirements

• Minimum 7 years of employment law experience — must have been practiced at a law firm (not solely in-house/corporate)

• Active Texas Bar membership (JD required)

• Strong command of employment law in the context of M&A — employee transitions, restrictive covenants, state-specific compliance

• Ability to work independently and manage a client portfolio with minimal partner oversight

• Ideally based in Austin; Dallas considered

Role responsibilities

• Serve as primary or supporting counsel on complex employment matters.

• Draft, review, and negotiate employment agreements and restrictive covenants.

• Advise clients on multi-state workforce compliance obligations.

• Manage a client portfolio directly, delivering proactive legal advice.

• Conduct employment law diligence for acquisitions and financings.

• Handle restrictive covenant enforcement actions.

• Conduct or oversee internal workplace investigations.

• Manage responses to EEOC, DOL, state agency charges.

• Mentor associates on employment matters.

• Contribute to client origination and cross-selling.