Employment Attorney

Secrest Wardle; Michigan; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Secrest Wardle, a Michigan-based firm, seeks an experienced Employment Attorney as a lateral hire to join a broader litigation and business practice. The attorney will handle sophisticated employment matters and advise employers on day-to-day workplace issues and compliance.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in employment law, strong litigation experience, and the ability to work independently while collaborating with a multi-practice team. Michigan bar preferred or ability to waive in.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership (Michigan preferred or ability to waive in)
• 5+ years of employment law experience, with management-side experience preferred
• Experience handling litigation matters, including discovery and motion practice
• Trial experience preferred
• Strong writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating within a multi-practice firm

Responsibilities

• Represent employers in employment-related litigation in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration and administrative proceedings
• Manage cases through all stages of litigation, including strategy development, pleadings, discovery, depositions, motion practice, and trial preparation
• Work closely with attorneys in other practice areas to support broader client needs

Skills

Employment law experience

Litigation experience

Trial experience

Writing skills

Communication skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Michigan bar eligibility

Education

J.D. from accredited law school

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Employment Attorney to join our Michigan-based firm as a lateral hire. This position is part of a broader litigation and business practice, offering the opportunity to handle sophisticated employment matters while also collaborating across other practice areas.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable managing employment-related disputes on behalf of employers and providing practical, day-to-day counseling to clients on workplace issues and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent employers in employment-related litigation in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration and administrative proceedings
• Manage cases through all stages of litigation, including strategy development, pleadings, discovery, depositions, motion practice, and trial preparation
• Work closely with attorneys in other practice areas to support broader client needs

Representative Matters May Include

• Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims
• Wrongful termination and contract disputes
• Wage and hour matters

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership (Michigan preferred or ability to waive in)
• 5+ years of experience in employment law, with management-side experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience handling litigation matters, including discovery and motion practice
• Trial experience preferred
• Strong writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating within a multi-practice firm

Company Description

From our humble beginnings as the law office of a single practitioner over one hundred years ago, Secrest Wardle has grown into one of Michigan’s largest and most successful law firms. This growth can be attributed to many factors, but it all comes down to one word: commitment.