Litigation Attorney - Labor & Employment

Our client in San Francisco is seeking a full-time Litigation Associate with four to seven years of substantive litigation experience, including meaningful wage and hour experience. The Associate handles cases in all phases of litigation including legal research, drafting pleadings and discovery, attending hearings and depositions, arguing motions, and assisting with trial preparation. This role primarily supports the Firm’s Labor & Employment practice group, with support to the Firm’s broader Litigation practice group. The ideal candidate will have experience defending employers in wage and hour matters (including PAGA and class actions), including experience calculating damages. The candidate should also have experience defending discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims in court, arbitration, and before administrative agencies (including the Labor Commissioner and the EEOC), with responsibility for pleadings, motion practice, and discovery.

The associate will have the opportunity to work on sophisticated, complex litigation matters and will collaborate closely with experienced litigators and trial lawyers. This role offers meaningful responsibility and hands-on experience across all phases of litigation, with the opportunity to develop strategic, practical advocacy skills. The successful candidate will have a distinguished academic background and exceptional research, writing, analytical, and interpersonal skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Handle litigation matters through all phases, including pre-litigation strategy, pleadings, discovery, law and motion practice, mediation, trial preparation, and post-trial proceedings
• Draft high-quality pleadings, motions, briefs, and discovery requests and responses, including dispositive motions such as demurrers and motions for summary judgment
• Participate in conducting and defending depositions, preparing witnesses for depositions and hearings, and respond to written discovery requests
• Appear at hearings, case management conferences, mediations, and arbitrations
• Support matters involving complex employment matters, including wage and hour class actions, PAGA representative actions, and various other employment disputes
• Assist shareholders advising employer clients on a range of employment law compliance issues, including conducting legal research, participating in pre-litigation investigations (including witness interviews), and reviewing and drafting employee policies and handbooks
• Collaborate closely with partners to develop litigation strategy and advance cases toward resolution
• Prepare matters for mediation and trial, including developing case themes, coordinating key tasks, and collaborating with experts as needed
• Communicate regularly with clients, opposing counsel, courts, and third-party vendors to advance cases efficiently

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar
• 4-7 years of litigation experience; preferably in both employment and business litigation
• Experience with wage and hour disputes, class actions, and PAGA matters is required
• Experience reviewing and revising employee handbooks is strongly preferred
• Exposure to taking and defending depositions, preparing for hearings and trials, and participating in mediations and arbitrations is preferred
• Demonstrated skill in legal research, drafting, and oral advocacy
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative and client-focused approach
• Demonstrated ability and drive to take responsibility for routine and increasingly complex matters with minimal supervision

Licensed Attorney, Draft Motions, Briefing, Discovery, Employment Law, Employment Litigation, Federal Employment Law, Employment Law - Employee, Employment Law - Employer, Local Employment Law, Complex Business Litigation