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.