Employment & Labor Associate Attorney

Employment & Labor Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel is seeking an Employment & Labor Associate Attorney to join a highly respected Am Law firm.

Location: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, or San Diego, CA

Position Type: Associate (Lateral)

Experience Level: 2–6 years

Direct Counsel is partnering with a global law firm to identify an Employment & Labor Associate to join its California offices. This is a strong opportunity for an associate looking to build a balanced practice that combines litigation with day-to-day counseling for sophisticated employers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day employment counseling and HR guidance to clients
• Draft and review employment agreements, handbooks, policies, and severance agreements
• Handle employment litigation matters, including:
• Single-plaintiff cases
• Wage and hour class actions
• PAGA representative actions
• Administrative charges
• Take and defend depositions and manage written discovery
• Advise clients on sensitive personnel issues and workplace policies
• Support traditional labor matters, including NLRB-related issues
• Assist with employment aspects of M&A due diligence
• Contribute to litigation strategy and overall case management

Qualifications:

• 2–6 years of employment litigation and counseling experience
• Strong knowledge of California employment law
• Excellent writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple matters and work both independently and collaboratively
• JD from an accredited law school
• Active California Bar admission

Compensation:

• Salary range: $225,000 – $345,000 (depending on experience and location)
• Bonus eligible with a comprehensive benefits package

This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative, business-focused employment practice with exposure to both litigation and advisory work across a diverse client base.