Associate – Employment – New York

McDermott Will & Schulte; New York (NY); On-site; USD 235,000 - 455,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Wellness program

Professional development

Job summary

McDermott Will & Schulte in New York seeks an Associate with 4-6 years of employment law experience to join the Employment Practice Group. The ideal candidate handles M&A employment diligence, day-to-day counseling, employment-related agreements, and pre-litigation dispute resolution alongside experienced partners.

You will work on high-stakes matters for diverse clients with strong writing, research, and analytical skills, and must be barred or eligible to be barred in New York.

Qualifications

• 4-6 years of employment law experience
• Strong experience drafting employment-related contracts, agreements, policies
• Day-to-day counseling, M&A, and pre-litigation dispute resolution
• Barred, or eligible to be barred in New York

Responsibilities

• Handle M&A employment diligence and counseling
• Draft and negotiate employment-related agreements and policies
• Provide day-to-day counseling and dispute resolution support
• Advise clients on employment matters related to transactions and workplace issues

Skills

Employment law

Contract drafting

Legal research

Counseling

Education

New York Bar eligibility

Job description

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,450 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

Here, we don't just invest in your future, we accelerate your career - wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With Us, You'll Find

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!
• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We're smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.
• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That's why our McDermott Well program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.
• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Job Description

McDermott is seeking an Associate with 4-6 years of experience to join our Employment Practice Group in our New York office. The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record in handling M&A employment diligence, day-to-day counseling, employment-related agreements, and pre-litigation dispute resolution. You'll work on high stakes matters alongside experienced partners, advising clients on everything from employment matters related to complex M&A transactions to the everyday workplace issues that keep their businesses running.

Job Requirements

• 4-6 years of employment law experience, with a strong preference for candidates with substantive experience drafting employment-related contracts, agreements, policies, and similar documents
• Day-to-day counseling, M&A, and pre-litigation dispute resolution experience
• Strong writing, research, and analytical skills, along with strong academic credentials.
• Barred, or eligible to be barred in New York.

As part of our ongoing commitment to be #AlwaysBetter for our people, clients and communities, we have created a culture of belonging that champions your individuality as both a person and a professional. From our competitive compensation, top benefits and award-winning professional development programs to industry-leading wellness initiatives, we support you through every stage of your life and career. With McDermott, you can live a life you love both in and outside of the office.

Expected Pay Range for Associates: 2026/2025 Class Compensation Years: $235,000

2024 Class Compensation Years: $245,000

2023 Class Compensation Years: $270,000

2022 Class Compensation Years: $320,000

2021 Class Compensation Years: $385,000

2020 Class Compensation Years: $410,000

2019 Class Compensation Years: $440,000

2018 and more senior class compensation years: $455,000