Employment Attorney

Boutique Recruiting; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

401(k) with employer match

PTO

Quarterly bonus opportunities

Discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

Boutique Recruiting seeks an Employment Attorney in San Diego, CA to defend employers in complex matters from start to finish. You will manage cases, take depositions, and prepare for trial, while engaging directly with clients.

This role offers meaningful courtroom exposure, autonomy, and a potential path to partnership, with hybrid work flexibility. Requirements: 2+ years of defense-side litigation, active California Bar membership, and relevant employment defense or related experience.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of litigation experience with a strong defense-side background
• Active membership in good standing with the California Bar
• Employment defense or public entity defense experience strongly preferred
• Experience in employment litigation, insurance defense or personal injury defense considered

Responsibilities

• Manage employment defense and other civil litigation matters from inception through resolution with appropriate partner guidance
• Develop case strategy, conduct legal research, and prepare persuasive motions, briefs, and other legal documents
• Take and defend depositions and represent clients throughout mediations and settlement proceedings
• Prepare cases for trial and confidently participate in all phases of the litigation process
• Maintain direct communication with a diverse client base that includes private employers and public entities
• Collaborate closely with partners, associates, and support staff to efficiently move cases forward

Skills

Litigation

Defense experience

California Bar

Client communication

Job description

Position Title: Employment Attorney

Salary Range: $150,000–$225,000 / Year, DOE + Quarterly & Annual Bonus Opportunities

Join a respected boutique employment defense firm where attorneys are trusted to run their cases, sharpen their litigation skills, and build toward long-term career growth. This Employment Attorney will manage sophisticated defense matters from initial strategy through resolution, including depositions, mediations, motion practice, legal research, trial preparation and direct client interaction. This is an opportunity for an attorney who wants meaningful courtroom exposure, autonomy and the potential to develop a book of business and pursue a partnership track.

Responsibilities

• Manage employment defense and other civil litigation matters from inception through resolution with appropriate partner guidance


• Develop case strategy, conduct legal research, and prepare persuasive motions, briefs, and other legal documents


• Take and defend depositions and represent clients throughout mediations and settlement proceedings


• Prepare cases for trial and confidently participate in all phases of the litigation process


• Maintain direct communication with a diverse client base that includes private employers and public entities


• Collaborate closely with partners, associates, and support staff to efficiently move cases forward

Requirements

• 2+ years of litigation experience with a strong defense-side background


• Active membership in good standing with the California Bar


• Employment defense or public entity defense experience strongly preferred


• Experience in employment litigation, insurance defense or personal injury defense considered


• Demonstrated ability to independently manage files and cases without extensive oversight


• Comfortable with depositions, mediations, trial preparation and courtroom proceedings


• Self-motivated, collaborative, and receptive to constructive feedback with a genuine interest in continued professional growth

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees


• 401(k) with employer match


• PTO


• Quarterly bonus opportunities plus a discretionary annual bonus


• Hybrid flexibility