Litigation Attorney

Litigation Associate — Labor & Employment (Management-Side) Downtown Los Angeles | Full-time | Hybrid About Our Client Our client is a long-standing, single-office Los Angeles law firm based in downtown LA, comprised of roughly 40 attorneys and a comparable support staff. The firm has built its reputation serving middle-market businesses and multigenerational family-owned companies, with many client relationships extending back decades. It is debt‑free, has historically low turnover, and operates on a foundation of loyalty, stability, and deep institutional knowledge. About the Role We are recruiting a California‑licensed litigation associate with 1–5 years of experience to join the firm’s management‑side Labor & Employment practice in downtown LA. The right candidate brings sharp legal writing and research abilities, a thoughtful and disciplined approach to work product, and an interest in building a long‑term career at a collegial, mid‑sized firm. Prior exposure to PAGA, wage and hour, discrimination, or harassment defense work is welcomed — though a strong civil litigator who is motivated to develop into an L&E specialist will also be considered. Responsibilities Represent employer‑side clients in litigation across state and federal courts, as well as in arbitrations, mediations, and administrative matters before agencies including the EEOC, DLSE, and CRD (formerly DFEH) Conduct in‑depth legal research through Lexis and Westlaw to support active matters spanning the L&E practice Prepare briefs, motions, and legal arguments on live matters in close collaboration with senior partners through drafting, review, and filing Handle discrimination, harassment, and retaliation matters alongside wage and hour defense work (both single‑plaintiff and class/PAGA) Draft and review workplace policies, employee handbooks, severance agreements, and employment contracts Attend depositions early on, progressing toward taking them independently as experience develops Provide ongoing employer counseling on terminations, employee classification, leaves, and wage/hour questions Lead employee trainings and support workplace health‑and‑safety and OSHA compliance matters Partner directly with senior attorneys on live client matters Why This Role Stands Out The compensation structure here is genuinely distinctive. Associates begin with a guaranteed base salary and become eligible, after a qualifying period, for a formula‑based monthly profit‑share tied to collections. Once an associate demonstrates profitability (billing and collecting beyond their cost), the partnership may vote them into this structure — which then pays a monthly percentage of collections on top of base. Some associates qualify within roughly six months; others take closer to a year. This arrangement is embedded in the partnership agreement and is separate from equity ownership, meaning productive attorneys realize meaningful financial upside throughout the year rather than waiting for a year‑end bonus cycle. Partners at the firm have built very comfortable retirements under this model. Qualifications Active California bar license 1–5 years of litigation experience Excellent legal research and writing capabilities Serious, detail‑oriented approach to work product Genuine interest in committing to a long‑term practice at a stable, collegial environment Preferred Skills Direct experience in management‑side L&E defense (wage and hour, PAGA, harassment, or discrimination) Background in traditional labor law (NLRB matters, union‑related counseling and proceedings) is a meaningful plus Familiarity with employer counseling on leaves, classification, and terminations Compensation & Benefits Base salary: $180,000–$350,000, depending on experience Monthly profit‑share on collections following the qualifying period (described above) Generous 401(k) match Medical (HMO and PPO with HSA buy‑up option), dental, and vision coverage Daily in‑office breakfast Modern offices in a premier downtown LA building, with recent IT investments Work Arrangement This role begins fully on‑site at the firm’s downtown LA office, with flexibility for remote work available once the associate is established. Candidates should be willing and able to commute to downtown LA on a daily basis at the outset. Empower JobID 2752 #J-18808-Ljbffr