Employment Associate Attorney (5+ years) | Chicago, IL

The Standard Legal Recruiting; Illinois; On-site; USD 230,000 - 315,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual bonuses

Defined partnership track

Genuinely collaborative environment

Job summary

The Standard Legal Recruiting is looking for an experienced Employment Associate attorney in Illinois. The role involves advising employers on employment law and representing clients in litigation. Candidates should have substantial knowledge of Title VII, ADA, and experience drafting various employment agreements.

Compensation ranges from $230,000 to $315,000 based on experience, with opportunities for advancement within a supportive and entrepreneurial environment.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of experience in employment and labor law.
• Familiarity with Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and FLSA.
• Experience litigating single-plaintiff employment matters.

Responsibilities

• Advise employers on employment law and workplace compliance.
• Draft employment agreements and restrictive covenants.
• Provide M&A labor support as counsel.

Skills

Employment and labor law experience

Title VII familiarity

Litigation experience

Drafting employment agreements

M&A support

Job description

Rapidly growing entrepreneurial platform is seeking an experienced Employment Associate attorney to join an established practice. The position offers direct client exposure and meaningful autonomy on active matters.

The role involves sophisticated work advising employers on the full spectrum of employment law and workplace compliance matters, including single-plaintiff discrimination litigation before administrative agencies and in federal and state court, employment and restrictive covenant agreement drafting, M&A labor and employment due diligence, and day-to-day counseling on federal, state, and local workplace regulations.

Who is this for:

• 5-7+ years of employment and labor law experience, including familiarity with Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, and state equivalents
• Experience litigating single-plaintiff employment matters before agencies such as the EEOC and IDHR, and in court
• Experience drafting employment agreements, restrictive covenants, separation agreements, and employee handbooks
• Comfort providing M&A support as labor and employment counsel

Candidates with labor/collective bargaining or class and collective action experience are encouraged to apply, though it is not required.

The platform offers sophisticated, collaborative work within a genuinely entrepreneurial environment, lean teams, and accessible, working leadership rather than an ivory-tower structure. Advancement is real and attainable, with a defined partnership track.

Compensation: $230,000–$315,000 base, depending on experience and hours commitment, with competitive annual bonuses.

The employer is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace.