Labor and Employment Career Associate Attorney

A law firm in Chicago, IL, is seeking a dedicated Labor and Employment Career Associate Attorney to join their team. The ideal candidate will possess 4-7 years of experience defending employers in employment-related litigation, including single-plaintiff discrimination, harassment, and retaliation cases, as well as ERISA litigation. This role requires occasional in-office presence for meetings, depositions, and court appearances. The successful candidate will have an excellent academic background, solid experience in employment litigation, and exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Must be licensed to practice law in the U.S.

Duties:

• Represent employers in employment litigation cases, including single-plaintiff discrimination, harassment, and retaliation matters.
• Handle ERISA litigation cases, offering expert legal counsel on employment benefits issues.
• Draft, review, and prepare legal documents such as pleadings, motions, and discovery requests.
• Conduct detailed legal research and analysis to support case strategies and arguments.
• Manage client representation in depositions, mediations, and court appearances.
• Develop and implement effective case strategies in collaboration with clients.
• Oversee a diverse caseload efficiently, ensuring timely progress and adherence to legal deadlines.
• Stay informed about current developments in labor and employment law and relevant regulations.

Requirements:

• 4-7 years of experience in employment litigation matters.
• Demonstrated experience defending employers before administrative agencies and in court.
• Excellent academic credentials with a robust understanding of labor and employment law.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle complex cases and meet deadlines.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the U.S.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

Certifications:

• Admission to the bar in the state of Illinois or eligibility to obtain admission.

Skills:

• Expertise in employment law, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and ERISA litigation.
• Proficiency in legal research, writing, and drafting legal documents.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain client relationships.
• Capacity to manage high-pressure situations and handle a varied caseload effectively.

This is a branch office of an exciting national law firm with nationwide litigation practice in general trial and appellate practice before state and federal courts, insurance coverage litigation and counseling, directors and officers liability, professional liability, environmental/mass tort coverage, white collar criminal defense, real estate and golf course development, biotech, and general business counseling. The Chicago office is focused on insurance coverage litigation and counseling for clients in Chicago and the Midwest. The lawyers of this small office seem to truly enjoy working together. The hours are manageable, and the compensation is above average. Associates must have a strong interest in insurance matters. The firm hires from both regional and national law schools.