Employment Litigation Associate Attorney

A law firm in Los Angeles is seeking a skilled Employment Litigation Associate Attorney with 3 to 6 years of experience in employment law, particularly focusing on both individual and class action litigation. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of California and federal employment laws, with a demonstrated history of handling cases related to discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour claims, and class and representative actions. Additionally, the role offers the opportunity to engage in employment counseling and transactional work, such as drafting employee handbooks and employment agreements. The firm provides a collaborative work environment, with in-office presence required Tuesday through Thursday, and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 401(k) retirement plan, health and dental contributions, subsidized gym membership, and disability insurance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Represent clients in employment litigation cases, including those involving FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act), wrongful termination, breach of contract, wage and hour claims, and PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) actions.
• Handle single-plaintiff matters related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour disputes.
• Manage class action and representative action litigation, providing strategic counsel and legal representation to clients.
• Provide employment counseling to businesses and individuals, offering guidance on employment law compliance, risk management, and legal best practices.
• Draft and review employment-related documents such as employee handbooks, employment agreements, separation agreements, and workplace policies.
• Stay current on evolving federal and California employment laws, including wage and hour regulations, anti-discrimination laws, and employment-related legislation.
• Collaborate with clients to provide effective legal solutions that align with business goals, helping to minimize legal risks and resolve disputes efficiently.
• Attend court hearings, argue motions, and participate in depositions as needed.
• Maintain strong client relationships, ensuring timely communication and delivering strategic legal advice.

Qualifications and Experience:

• 3 to 6 years of employment litigation experience, with a focus on California and federal employment law.
• Proven track record of litigating cases involving single plaintiffs and class or representative actions.
• Experience handling claims related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour disputes.
• Experience in employment counseling, drafting handbooks, employment agreements, and other related documents is preferred.
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to develop persuasive legal arguments and effectively manage case strategy.
• Excellent academic credentials and professional references.

Educational Background:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing with the California State Bar.

Certifications:

• Ongoing Continuing Legal Education (CLE) in employment law and litigation is preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong legal research and writing skills, with a proven ability to draft compelling legal briefs, motions, and agreements.
• Excellent negotiation and client management abilities, with a focus on resolving disputes efficiently and providing strategic legal counsel.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment, with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Proficient in managing litigation from inception to resolution, with excellent time-management skills to meet deadlines and billable hour targets.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex legal matters to clients and colleagues.

Benefits:

• Competitive 401(k) retirement plan with firm contributions.
• Contributions to health and dental insurance plans.
• Subsidized gym membership or access to fitness facilities.
• Disability insurance coverage.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced employment attorney to work in a fast-paced environment, engage in both litigation and counseling work, and take on challenging cases while building strong client relationships. The firm offers a supportive and dynamic environment for career growth.

Although this Los Angeles-based firm boasts a fairly solid full-service practice, its high-profile entertainment department has brought the firm celebrity status and established it as one of the nations premier entertainment law firms. The firm has an entrepreneurial and aggressive feel to it, yet candidates often remark how wonderfully balanced its attorneys lives appear to be. While associates work hard, people are friendly and seem to genuinely enjoy spending time together outside of work. The pay is decent though slightly lower than the top firms (reputedly a trade-off for lower billable hour requirements); nevertheless, the firm consistently manages to attract some of the best talent in the United States.