Senior Employment Law Attorney

Job Overview
A leading law firm is seeking a Senior Attorney specializing in Employment Law with a focus on defending school districts. This position requires over 10 years of experience handling employment litigation, particularly in the public sector. The Senior Attorney will work on a range of complex cases, provide strategic legal counsel, and manage risk for school district clients. This opportunity offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits, along with career growth potential.

Location

• San Jose, CA

Duties

• Litigation Defense & Risk Management for School Districts

  • Defend school districts in employment-related lawsuits, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims.
  • Handle disputes arising from complaints filed with agencies such as the EEOC, state education departments, and labor boards.
  • Manage the discovery process, motion practice, and settlement negotiations, focusing on public sector employment regulations and education law.

• Strategic Counsel & Legal Guidance for School District Leadership

  • Advise school boards, superintendents, and HR departments on complex employment laws like Title IX, ADA, FMLA, and state-specific education regulations.
  • Develop proactive legal strategies to mitigate risk in labor disputes, employee discipline, hiring practices, and contract negotiations.
  • Counsel on union relations, teacher tenure, and collective bargaining agreements to prevent litigation and ensure compliance.

• Policy Development & Compliance for Educational Institutions

  • Review and draft school district employment policies, ensuring they align with both employment and education laws.
  • Advise on drafting teacher and staff contracts, ensuring compliance with public education laws, union agreements, and collective bargaining terms.
  • Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations affecting public school employment, including Title IX, ADA, and other education-specific statutes.

• Training & Development for School District HR and Administrators

  • Provide training on legal compliance, best practices in employee relations, and mitigating litigation risks.
  • Conduct workshops on issues such as anti-discrimination, sexual harassment prevention, and navigating teacher tenure and union rules.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in employment law with a focus on litigation and defense.
• Experience in defending school districts is required.
• Trial experience preferred, but not required.
• Public entity defense experience is a plus.
• Strong research, analytical, and negotiating skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
• Proactive case management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

Certifications

• Member in good standing with the State Bar of California.

Skills

• Expertise in employment law, public sector law, and education law.
• Proficient in litigation management and legal strategy development.
• Strong ability to draft policies, contracts, and ensure legal compliance.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with school district leadership and HR departments.
• Experience conducting legal training and workshops.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with quarterly bonus opportunities.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (UPTO) for attorneys.
• 90 Credit Hours offered annually for vacation time.
• Remote work flexibility (office space available if needed).
• Medical, dental, vision, and pet insurance.
• Firm-paid life insurance.
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• 401(k) with employer matching after 1 year.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Accelerated partnership track.
• Continuous training and professional development.
• Employee discounts, holiday parties, and team-building events.
• Employee referral program.
• Free snacks and beverages.
• Cell phone reimbursement.
• Military leave.
• Premium office locations with easy access to public transit.
• Casual dress code.

Founded over two decades ago, this California based firm specializes in workers' compensation, employment, immigration, and civil litigation. Continually growing, this firm provides high-quality service with honest communication. The highly experienced attorneys gather information quickly and get favorable results to meet clients' needs promptly. The firm offers training, mentoring, and supervision for its diverse team of attorneys. The firm has excellent opportunities for professional growth. The culture of the firm is very collaborative and based on mutual respect. Working in a supportive and team-oriented work environment showcases the full potential of every employee. Believing in giving back, the firm actively participates in community service.