Mid-Senior Employment Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel is seeking a Mid-Senior Employment Associate with 5+ years of employment law experience to join a premier Employment practice in New York. This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney who enjoys balancing sophisticated employment litigation with day-to-day counseling for innovative companies, including emerging growth and technology businesses.

The ideal candidate will have substantial experience advising employers on workplace issues while also managing employment litigation from inception through resolution.

Location

• New York, NY

Responsibilities

• Counsel employers on a broad range of employment law matters, including:
  • Wage and hour compliance
  • Employee terminations
  • Reductions in force
  • Leaves of absence
  • Workplace investigations
  • Worker classification
• Draft, review, and negotiate:
  • Employment agreements
  • Offer letters
  • Employee handbooks
  • Compensation plans
  • Separation agreements
  • Workplace policies
• Represent employers in employment litigation involving:
  • Discrimination
  • Harassment
  • Wrongful termination
  • Wage and hour disputes
  • Trade secrets
  • Restrictive covenants
  • Workplace privacy
• Manage both single-plaintiff and complex employment litigation matters.
• Conduct legal research, develop litigation strategy, and draft motions and briefs.
• Train managers and advise clients on employment best practices and compliance.
• Partner with business leaders to provide practical, business-oriented employment advice.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school with excellent academic credentials.
• Active admission to the New York Bar.
• 5+ years of employment law experience.
• Significant experience in both employment litigation and employer counseling.
• Strong knowledge of New York State and New York City employment laws.
• Experience advising employers on a wide variety of workplace issues.
• Excellent legal research, drafting, negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
• Strong business judgment and client counseling abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience representing startup, emerging growth, or technology companies.
• Experience managing complex employment litigation independently.
• Ability to provide practical, business-focused legal advice in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational, project management, and client relationship skills.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $365,000–$390,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Performance-based discretionary bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Wellness and well-being programs.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays.
• Professional development, mentorship, and long-term career advancement opportunities.

Why This Opportunity

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a highly respected Employment practice advising innovative companies on sophisticated workplace issues and high-stakes litigation. Attorneys enjoy significant client interaction, meaningful responsibility, and the opportunity to build a balanced practice that combines strategic counseling with complex litigation while working alongside nationally recognized employment lawyers.

Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier legal employers and fostering inclusive hiring practices.