Employment Litigation Associate Attorney (Defense)

Job Description Job Description Employment Associate Attorney Los Angeles, California | Palo Alto, California | San Diego, California | San Francisco, California Direct Counsel is seeking an Employment Associate Attorney to join a leading Am Law firm in one of its California offices, with opportunities available in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, San Diego, and San Francisco . This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney with 2+ years of labor and employment experience who is looking to build a sophisticated practice spanning both high-stakes litigation and day-to-day counseling matters . The ideal candidate will have strong experience handling a broad range of California employment matters, including wage and hour class, collective, and PAGA actions , as well as single-plaintiff litigation and strategic advice and counsel work . This role offers meaningful client interaction, substantive responsibility, and exposure to complex workplace issues for high-profile employers. Key Responsibilities Defend wage and hour class, collective, and PAGA actions Handle single-plaintiff employment litigation Advise on meal and rest break claims Manage misclassification and off-the-clock disputes Counsel clients on bonus, commission, and wage payment issues Defend claims involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination Advise on restrictive covenants and employee mobility matters Support reductions in force and workforce restructurings Draft and negotiate employment, separation, and severance agreements Counsel employers on employee policies, trainings, leave issues, and compensation practices Qualifications 2+ years of labor and employment experience Strong knowledge of California Labor Code and federal employment laws Experience defending class actions, collective actions, and PAGA claims Practice experience before state and federal courts and administrative agencies Excellent legal research, writing, drafting, and litigation management skills Strong written and verbal communication Demonstrated business judgment and client counseling ability Active California Bar admission required Trial experience highly preferred Compensation $235,000 – $365,000 , commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a standout opportunity to join a top-tier national employment platform handling sophisticated California employment litigation and counseling matters, with substantial strategic responsibility and direct client exposure.