Employment Law Associate Attorney

*About Alder Law*

Alder Law is a growing California plaintiff-side litigation firm known for high-impact advocacy, strong litigation and trial preparation, and a culture that values professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and results.

Our Employment Law practice is growing, and we are seeking an experienced Employment Law Associate Attorney to join our existing team. This position is ideal for an attorney who already has meaningful California employment litigation experience and is ready to take greater ownership of cases while continuing to develop as a plaintiff-side litigator.

*Position Summary*

We are seeking a California-licensed attorney with a minimum of 3 years of recent, substantive employment law litigation experience as a practicing attorney.

This is not an entry-level position. The successful candidate should be comfortable handling significant portions of an employment case independently, including pleadings, discovery, depositions, law and motion, court appearances, mediation preparation, and trial preparation.

The Associate will work on plaintiff-side employment matters in both California state and federal courts and will collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and legal support staff to move cases efficiently from intake through settlement or trial.

*Key Responsibilities*

* Manage an active caseload of plaintiff-side employment matters under appropriate senior attorney oversight
* Develop case strategy and litigation plans
* Draft and respond to complaints, answers, pleadings, and other litigation documents
* Draft and respond to written discovery
* Handle discovery disputes, meet-and-confer efforts, and motions to compel
* Take and defend depositions of parties, witnesses, and other relevant individuals
* Research, draft, and argue substantive motions
* Prepare oppositions to dispositive motions, including motions for summary judgment and summary adjudication
* Attend court hearings, case management conferences, and other proceedings
* Prepare matters for mediation and participate in settlement negotiations
* Work directly with clients throughout the litigation process
* Evaluate liability, damages, evidence, witnesses, and settlement considerations
* Assist with and participate in trial preparation and trial
* Work collaboratively with paralegals, legal assistants, and other attorneys to ensure cases progress efficiently and deadlines are met
* Maintain excellent client communication and professional responsibility standards

*Types of Matters*

The attorney should have substantive experience with California employment claims involving some or all of the following:

* Discrimination
* Harassment
* Retaliation
* Wrongful termination
* Disability discrimination and failure to accommodate
* FEHA claims
* Wage and hour violations
* California Labor Code claims
* FLSA claims

Experience with PAGA, representative actions, and employment class actions is highly desirable.

*Required Qualifications*

* Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
* Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California
* Minimum of 3 years of recent California employment law litigation experience as a licensed and practicing attorney
* Substantive experience litigating employment matters in California state and/or federal courts
* Demonstrated experience with written discovery and law and motion practice
* Experience taking and/or defending depositions
* Strong knowledge of California employment law, including FEHA and applicable California Labor Code provisions
* Excellent legal research, analytical, and writing skills
* Strong oral communication and advocacy skills
* Ability to independently manage deadlines and competing priorities
* Ability to take ownership of assigned cases while working collaboratively as part of a litigation team

*Preferred Qualifications*

* Plaintiff-side employment litigation experience
* Wage and hour experience
* PAGA and/or employment class action experience
* Experience opposing motions for summary judgment
* Mediation and settlement negotiation experience
* Significant trial preparation or actual trial experience
* Federal court employment litigation experience

*Who Will Be Successful Here*

We are looking for someone who is smart, hungry, accountable, and ready to litigate.

The right candidate will not need to be taught the fundamentals of employment litigation. We want an attorney who can step into an existing caseload, identify what needs to happen next, and move cases forward.

At the same time, we value attorneys who want to continue learning, welcome mentorship and feedback, work well with support staff, and are motivated to grow into increasingly sophisticated litigation and trial responsibilities.

*Compensation*

Base Salary: $160,000-$210,000 annually

Actual compensation will be based on the candidate's experience, demonstrated employment litigation capabilities, trial experience, and other job-related qualifications.

Additional incentive-based compensation may be available based on individual and firm performance.

*What Alder Law Offers*

Opportunity to work on meaningful plaintiff-side employment cases

Hands-on litigation experience

Exposure to complex employment matters and trial preparation

Opportunity for increasing case ownership and responsibility

Experienced attorneys and litigation support

Professional and collaborative team environment

Meaningful opportunity for professional growth as the Employment Law Department continues to expand

*How to Apply*

Qualified candidates should submit a resume and writing sample for consideration.

Please clearly identify your California employment litigation experience, including the types of employment matters you have handled and your experience with depositions, dispositive motions, mediations, and trials.

_Alder Law is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law._

Pay: $160,000.00 - $210,000.00 per year

Benefits:
* 401(k)
* Dental insurance
* Health insurance
* Paid time off
* Vision insurance

Application Question(s):
* Do you have plaintiff-side employment litigation experience?
* Do you have Wage and Hour experience?
* Do you have PAGA and/or employment class action experience?
* Do you have a minimum of 3 years of recent California employment law litigation experience as a licensed and practicing attorney?

Work Location: In person