Labor & Employment Associate Attorney / Counsel

Labor & Employment Associate Attorney / Counsel

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Direct Counsel is seeking a Labor & Employment Associate / Counsel to join a leading Am Law firm's nationally recognized Labor & Employment practice in Los Angeles. The firm is seeking attorneys at both the mid-level Associate and Counsel levels, making this an excellent opportunity for experienced California labor and employment attorneys looking to take on increasingly sophisticated litigation, counseling, and client-facing responsibilities.

The practice represents Fortune 500 companies, emerging businesses, and nonprofits across a broad range of industries, with a particular focus on high-stakes employment litigation, wage-and-hour class and representative actions, and labor relations.

Responsibilities

• Defend employers in complex employment litigation in state and federal courts and arbitration.
• Handle wage-and-hour class actions, FLSA collective actions, and California PAGA representative actions.
• Manage discovery, including document review, written discovery, witness interviews, and depositions.
• Draft and argue dispositive motions, class certification and decertification briefs, pleadings, and other litigation documents.
• Defend single-plaintiff employment matters from inception through resolution, including discovery, depositions, motions, mediation, trial, and arbitration.
• Represent clients in administrative proceedings and respond to EEOC and California Civil Rights Department (CRD) charges.
• Draft responses to demand letters and provide strategic advice regarding employment disputes and litigation risk.
• Advise clients on California labor and employment compliance matters, including policies, handbooks, and workforce restructuring.
• Work closely with partners and senior attorneys on case strategy and increasingly assume ownership of active matters.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships and serve as a trusted advisor to in-house counsel and business stakeholders.
• Mentor and supervise junior associates, providing guidance on legal research, brief writing, deposition preparation, and professional development.
• Utilize innovative legal technology, including AI-powered platforms, to enhance research, drafting, analysis, and client service.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active California Bar admission and good standing.
• 3–6 years of California labor and employment experience for Associate-level candidates.
• 6+ years of California labor and employment experience for Counsel-level candidates.
• Substantial experience defending wage-and-hour class actions and PAGA representative actions.
• Experience handling single-plaintiff employment litigation in state and federal court and arbitration.
• Experience with depositions, discovery, dispositive motions, and other core litigation responsibilities.
• Experience with EEOC/CRD charges, administrative proceedings, and employment demand letters.
• Experience advising employers on California labor and employment compliance is preferred.
• Traditional labor law experience is a plus but not required.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Strong knowledge of California state and federal procedural and evidence rules.
• Excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills.
• Ability to work effectively with clients, business stakeholders, partners, and legal teams.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines.
• Interest in leveraging legal technology and AI tools to improve efficiency and client service.

Compensation & Benefits

• Associate: $260,000–$390,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Counsel: $310,000–$450,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and other firm-sponsored benefits.
• Hours and merit bonus opportunities.
• Billable-hour credit for qualifying pro bono work.
• Opportunity to work on sophisticated, high-stakes employment matters for major national and international employers.
• Collaborative environment with meaningful opportunities for client contact, mentorship, leadership, and long-term career advancement.