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 medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan with retirement

Paid parental leave and life/disabilty

CLE budget

Job summary

plug-legal is seeking a senior associate in its Los Angeles office to lead California employment defense and advisory matters. You will handle intricate wage-and-hour class actions, PAGA representations, and strategic advisory work for a national client base.

You will steer strategy, supervise junior lawyers, and manage key client relationships while navigating California’s regulatory landscape with autonomy.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of employment litigation experience within California.
• California Bar Admission is required.
• Senior associate ready to assume lead responsibility and client management.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of complex employment litigation, including wage-and-hour and PAGA actions in state and federal courts, and in arbitration.
• Provide high-level advisory work to corporate clients on policies, leaves, accommodations, onboarding and separations.
• Direct strategy, supervise junior attorneys, and maintain strong client relationships.

Skills

Employment litigation

PAGA & wage-hour

Client management

Education

California Bar Admission

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)