Employment Associate (California)

DLA Piper; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 235,000 - 365,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

DLA Piper seeks Employment Associates for its California offices (San Francisco, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, or San Diego). The role involves litigation management, research, and drafting for class actions and individual matters, with opportunity to advise on employment agreements and severance.

California bar admission required, JD earned, and labor law experience a must. The position is hybrid, with in-office presence and some work-from-home flexibility, and offers a competitive pay range and

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of labor and employment experience including litigation and advisory work.
• Strong knowledge of state and federal employment laws, including wage/hour rules and California Labor Code.
• Experience defending class and collective actions, and providing day-to-day counsel.
• Trial experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Handle litigation management, legal research, drafting, and related tasks for class actions and single plaintiff matters.
• Draft and negotiate employment, termination/severance, and related agreements; advise on reductions in force.
• Address issues such as restrictive covenants, employee mobility, compensation practices, and leave policies.

Skills

Communication

Research

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Judgment

Organization

Collaboration

Independent work

Persuasion

Management

Education

JD

Job description

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary

DLA Piper seeks Employment Associates for its California Offices (San Francisco, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, or San Diego).

Education

• JD

Bar Admission

• Admitted to practice in California

Responsibilities

The Associate will be handling litigation management, legal research, legal drafting, and other litigation-related tasks for class action as well as single plaintiff cases, including but not limited to matters involving alleged meal and rest period violations, failure to pay wages and/or bonuses, off-the-clock work, misclassification, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, and wrongful termination. The Associate may also draft and negotiate employment, termination/severance, and related agreements; and advise on reductions in force. Other advice issues include restrictive covenants, employee mobility, compensation practices, commission plans, employee policies/training and leave practices.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience in labor and employment, including litigation, and advice and counsel work.
• Strong knowledge of state and federal employment laws, including wage and hour laws, the California Labor Code, discrimination laws, and practice before state and federal court and agencies.
• Experience in the defense of class and collective actions, as well as PAGA claims, and provide day to day advice and counsel to our wide range of clients.
• Trial experience.

Desired Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication abilities. Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Attention to detail. Good business and professional judgment. Excellent organizational skills. Ability to work collaboratively and independently. Conceptual thinking. Persuasive communication. Management skills.

Essential Job Expectations

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties;
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner;
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product;
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required;
• Foster positive work relationships;
• Comply with all firm policies and practices;
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed;
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment;
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment

• Hybrid - Regular in-office presence with some flexibility for work-from-home

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Pay Transparency

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $235,000 - $365,000 per year depending on the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Equal Employment Opportunity

DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.