Labor And Employment Attorney

Title: Employment Law Attorney | Costa Mesa, CA | $175,000 - $250,000+

Location: Costa Mesa, CA

Position: Mostly Onsite, Some Hybrid

Experience Level: 3-7 Years

About the Role

A growing Costa Mesa firm is looking for an experienced employment defense attorney ready to do meaningful work without the billable hour grind. If you are billing 1,800+ hours a year at a large firm and not seeing the compensation or quality of life to match, this is worth a conversation.

This is not a document review role. You will be managing your own employment defense docket, handling matters from intake through resolution, and working directly with employer clients on strategy and risk management.

What You Will Do

• Manage employment litigation matters including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FEHA, wage and hour, and wrongful termination defense
• Handle depositions, motion practice, court appearances, mediations, and arbitrations
• Counsel employer clients on policies, procedures, and risk mitigation
• Draft pleadings, motions, position statements, and settlement agreements
• Work directly with partners on case strategy and client relationships
• Build toward a partnership track in a firm that is actively growing

What We Are Looking For

• JD from an accredited law school
• Active California Bar license in good standing
• 3 to 7 years of employment law defense experience
• Strong deposition and motion practice background
• Comfortable managing matters independently while collaborating with senior attorneys
• Senior counsel with portable book and partnership ambitions also welcome to apply

Why This Role

• No billable hour minimum — attorneys average 1,400 to 1,500 hours annually, not 1,800 to 1,900
• Compensation from $175,000 to $250,000+ that reflects your experience level
• Stable, debt-free firm that owns its building and reinvests in its people
• Direct access to partners and genuine mentorship, not just case assignments
• Real partnership pathway for senior talent
• Hybrid flexibility available for the right candidate

All applications are completely confidential. Your current employer will never know you reached out.