Labor & Employment Associate - San Francisco

Job Description

Job Description

Labor & Employment Associate

San Francisco, CA | 4–6 Years Experience

Direct Counsel represents a leading national law firm seeking an experienced Labor & Employment Associate to join its San Francisco practice.

This is an excellent opportunity for an employment litigator who wants to take ownership of sophisticated workplace matters while working directly with clients and collaborating with an experienced team.

The Role

• Defend employers in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage & hour, and reasonable accommodation matters.
• Manage PAGA, class action, and representative action matters.
• Handle cases independently through all phases of litigation, including discovery, motion practice, mediation, and trial preparation.
• Draft and respond to pleadings and discovery.
• Draft and argue dispositive and discovery motions .
• Conduct and defend fact and corporate witness depositions.
• Provide employment counseling on federal and California employment laws.
• Work directly with clients and collaborate with partners and associates on case strategy.
• Take ownership of day-to-day case management and deadlines.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of labor and employment experience .
• Strong experience defending single-plaintiff employment litigation.
• Experience managing PAGA matters required ; class and representative action experience preferred.
• Strong litigation skills, including pleadings, discovery, motions, and depositions.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Strong academic record.
• Ability to independently manage matters while working effectively as part of a team.
• Employment counseling experience preferred.
• Trial experience is a plus.
• J.D. and active California Bar admission required.

Compensation & Benefits

• $215,000–$225,000 annual salary , depending on experience and qualifications.
• Hybrid work environment with an expectation of approximately 3 days per week in the office .
• Opportunity to handle sophisticated employment litigation and counseling matters.
• Significant client interaction and case ownership.
• Collaborative environment with strong professional growth opportunities.

Location: San Francisco, CA

If you're an experienced California employment litigator ready to take on greater responsibility and sophisticated PAGA and workplace litigation matters, this is an excellent opportunity to advance your career with a leading national law firm.