Labor and Employment Associate Attorney

Labor & Employment Associate Location: Irvine, CA Salary Range: $310,000 — $395,000 A nationally recognized employer-side labor and employment practice is seeking an associate with a JD year of 2020–2022 to join its Orange County office. This role offers the opportunity to work on sophisticated California employment matters for public companies, private equity-backed businesses, healthcare organizations, and middle-market employers. The practice combines high-stakes litigation with strategic counseling, providing associates with meaningful responsibility, direct client contact, and exposure to some of the most challenging employment issues facing California employers. Key Responsibilities Defend employers in single-plaintiff employment litigation involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and whistleblower claims Handle wage and hour class actions, PAGA representative actions, and misclassification disputes Draft and argue motions, manage discovery, and participate in depositions, mediations, and court appearances Advise employers on workplace policies, employee relations matters, investigations, and compliance issues Assist with trade secret, restrictive covenant, and employee mobility disputes Work directly with business leaders, HR professionals, and in-house counsel on day-to-day employment matters Qualifications JD earned between 2020 and 2022 3–5 years of labor and employment experience at a law firm Experience handling California employment litigation, including wage and hour or PAGA matters Strong legal writing, analytical, and advocacy skills California Bar admission required Experience with employment counseling and workplace investigations is a plus What the Role Offers Sophisticated employer-side labor and employment practice Significant motion practice and litigation responsibility Direct client interaction and counseling opportunities Exposure to both litigation and preventive employment advice Competitive compensation and bonus opportunities This is an excellent opportunity for an associate seeking a balanced labor and employment practice with meaningful responsibility, strong mentorship, and a pathway for long-term professional growth. #J-18808-Ljbffr