Employment & Labor Associate - Los Angeles, CA

plug-legal; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 325,000 - 365,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonuses

Premium health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Professional development budget

Job summary

plug-legal is seeking a senior associate for its employment law practice in Los Angeles. This role involves managing high-stakes litigation, particularly in California's wage-and-hour class actions, while also providing high-level advisory services to corporate clients.

Ideal candidates will have 5–7 years of experience, California Bar admission, and a comprehensive understanding of the state's employment laws. The firm offers competitive compensation ranging from $325,000 to $365,000 annually along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience as an associate in employment law.
• Mastery of California's regulatory landscape.
• Confidence to handle state court hearings.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex employment litigation in state and federal courts.
• Serve as a direct counselor to corporate clients.
• Direct strategy and manage client relationships.

Skills

California Bar Admission

Employment Litigation

Client Relationship Management

Wage-and-Hour Class Actions

PAGA Representative Actions

Job description

Labor & Employment · 5–7 Years of Experience · California Bar Admission

The 5th to 7th associate years are critical-it is the window where you either transition into a true strategist or remain stuck executing someone else's playbook. This position, within an Am Law 50 corporate defense practice, is designed for a senior associate ready to step into a lead role managing high-stakes California litigation and complex advisory work for a sophisticated, national client base.

The Work

This role balances heavy-hitting defense litigation with high-level advisory work. On the contentious side, you will manage all aspects of complex employment litigation, with a heavy emphasis on defending California wage-and-hour class actions and PAGA representative actions in both state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration. On the advisory side, you will serve as a direct counselor to corporate clients, shaping employee handbooks, navigating sensitive leaves of absence and accommodations, and structuring onboarding and separation strategies. You will not just be drafting motions; you will be directing strategy and managing client relationships.

Who This Is For

This role is built for a senior mid-level or senior employment associate who has mastered California's distinct regulatory landscape and is looking for a platform that rewards autonomy. If you are currently at a boutique looking to scale up to massive, national-tier defense work, or at a mega-firm where you feel too far removed from the actual clients, this position offers the right equilibrium. You should possess the technical confidence to handle state court hearings and complex PAGA mechanics with minimal oversight.

The Platform

The firm offers the financial backing and prestige of a major national footprint, combined with a highly collaborative Los Angeles office culture. They are known for lean staffing on major matters, which ensures senior associates get meaningful stand-up experience and a clear, transparent trajectory toward partnership. The West Coast practice is thriving, providing a steady pipeline of challenging, high-profile work without the institutional silo effect often found at peer firms.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated initial annual base salary range for this position is $325,000 to $365,000, reflecting the premium placed on senior California employment expertise.

The firm also provides a comprehensive, market-leading benefits package representative of its top-tier status, including:

• Performance-based and discretionary annual bonuses
• Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with firm retirement contributions
• Paid parental leave and robust life/disability coverage
• Dedicated budget for professional development and continuing legal education (CLE)

Apply in Confidence

If you are ready to take ownership of high-profile California employment matters on a premier national platform, let's have a preliminary, confidential conversation.

Contact us to discuss how this role aligns with your career goals. Your inquiry is entirely confidential, and your materials will never be submitted to the firm without your explicit review and consent.