Attorney - Employment Litigation Associate

Connectly Recruiting; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & vision

Paid time off

Parental leave

Retirement plan

Profit sharing

Life & disability insurance

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

Connectly Recruiting is seeking an Employment Litigation Associate in Irvine, CA, to join a national law firm’s labor and employment practice. The role involves complex matters, direct client contact, and increasing case ownership as you handle wage/hour, discrimination, class actions, and PAGA matters.

Ideal candidates will have 4–7 years of employment litigation experience, strong writing and deposition skills, and be admitted to the California Bar with a JD from an ABA-accredited school.

Qualifications

• 4–7 years of employment litigation experience.
• Admitted to the California Bar and hold a J.D. from an ABA‑accredited law school.
• Strong legal writing and oral advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft and respond to discovery and pleadings.
• Prepare and argue motions.
• Take and defend depositions.
• Assist with strategic case management and client communication.

Skills

Wage and hour claims

Discrimination & harassment

Class & collective actions

PAGA experience

Depositions

Legal writing

Client interaction

Education

California Bar admission

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Employment Litigation Associate

Irvine, CA | $250,000–$300,000 Base Salary

Our client is a national law firm looking to identify an experienced Employment Litigation Associate for its Irvine office.

This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney with 4–7 years of employment litigation experience who is ready to take on meaningful responsibility within a sophisticated labor and employment practice. The firm offers the resources and complex matters associated with a national platform combined with the opportunity to work closely with experienced attorneys, interact directly with clients, and continue developing toward greater case ownership.

The Opportunity

The associate will represent employers in complex employment litigation involving:

• Wage and hour claims
• Employment discrimination and harassment
• Class and collective actions
• PAGA matters

This is a hands‑on litigation role with involvement throughout the lifecycle of a case. Responsibilities will include drafting and responding to discovery and pleadings, preparing and arguing motions, taking and defending depositions, and assisting with the strategic management of matters.

Candidates with experience independently managing cases and communicating directly with clients are particularly attractive.

Ideal Background

• 4–7 years of employment litigation experience
• Substantive wage and hour and/or discrimination and harassment litigation experience
• Class, collective action and/or PAGA experience
• Deposition experience
• Strong motion practice and legal writing skills
• Excellent analytical and organizational abilitiesExperience managing matters with increasing independence
• Strong client-facing and communication skills
• Candidates must be admitted to the California Bar and hold a J.D. from an ABA‑accredited law school.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This opportunity is well suited for an attorney who wants sophisticated employment litigation work without sacrificing access to senior attorneys, meaningful responsibility, and long‑term professional development.

The firm offers a collaborative, team‑oriented environment, a strong national platform, sophisticated clients and matters, and opportunities for attorneys to develop both their litigation skills and client relationships.

A comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental and vision coverage, generous paid time off, paid parental leave, retirement and profit‑sharing programs, life and disability insurance, and additional voluntary benefits.

Compensation: $250,000–$300,000 base salary, depending on experience, qualifications, skills, and other relevant factors.

Confidential Applications:

We welcome inquiries from qualified California employment litigators, including successful attorneys who may not be actively looking but would consider the right opportunity.

All candidate discussions and referrals will be handled confidentially.