Employment & Labor Mid-Level Associate

Elias Law Group LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 215,000 - 325,000; Full time

Job summary

Elias Law Group LLP is a mission‑driven law firm seeking a Mid-Level Associate in our Washington, DC office to specialize in employment and labor within the Political Law practice. The role is primarily counseling and advisory, with opportunities to represent employers in agency and litigation matters.

The successful candidate will have a J.D. and at least two years of employment law experience, with a preference for political law exposure.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and at least 2 years of employment law experience; traditional labor law is a plus.
• Interest or background in political law is preferred.
• Comfort providing direct counsel to clients.
• Ability to work collaboratively, independently, and strategically.
• Strong communication, leadership, and management skills.
• Excellent project management and documentation abilities.
• Hybrid office schedule; in-office at least three days per week; some travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling to HR and business clients on day-to-day employment matters.
• Advise on employment and labor laws and draft policies, handbooks, and offer letters.
• Advise on regulatory changes affecting employment and labor obligations.
• Help create policies, document retention, and trainings for compliance.
• Draft and negotiate employment-related documents and contracts.
• Communicate status and timelines with clients, teams, and vendors.
• Assess risks to clients, including economic, legal and reputational.
• Support the Political Law practice group on related matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Project management

Organization

Documentation

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Elias Law Group LLP is a mission driven law firm, dedicated to helping Democrats win, citizens vote, and progressives make change, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Seattle, Washington. We are currently seeking to hire a Mid-Level Associate to specialize in employment and labor issues within our Political Law practice group, based in our Washington, D.C. office. This is primarily a counseling and advisory role — the Associate will advise clients directly on employment matters and will also support the broader Political Law practice group. A successful candidate will also be able to represent employers in administrative agency and employment litigation matters.

Candidates for this position must submit a resume as well as a cover letter that explains your interest in the position and the Firm, as well as why you believe you would be a good addition to the team.

Job Classification

Exempt

Compensation

Salary commensurate with class year, ranging from $215,000 to $325,000

Essential Job Functions

• Provide advice and counseling to HR and business clients at various levels of Democratic and nonprofit organizations on day-to-day employment matters.
• Advise HR professionals and clients regarding employment and labor related matters under US federal, state, and local laws, including drafting and revising employee handbooks, workplace policies, and offer letters.
• Advise clients on emerging legislative and regulatory changes affecting employment and labor obligations.
• Assist in the creation of policies, procedures, document retention policies, and trainings to support the implementation of compliance measures.
• Draft and negotiate employment-related documents, including separation and severance agreements, confidential information agreements, offer letters, and employment contracts
• Communicate effectively with clients and internal teams and vendors regarding project status, issues, and timelines.
• Ability to think strategically and evaluate potential risks to the client, including economic legal and reputational.
• Familiarity with the NLRA and labor relations matters — including grievances, arbitration, and collective bargaining — is a plus, though not required.
• Support the broader Political Law practice group as needed, including reviewing contracts and assisting with corporate governance matters for political campaigns and organizations.
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested by leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. degree and a minimum of 2 years of experience in employment law; traditional labor law experience is a plus.
• Strong interest or background in political law is preferred.
• Comfort providing direct counsel to clients.
• Ability to work collaboratively, separately, and strategically.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and management skills.
• Strong project management, organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure/tight time constraints.
• Creative approach to problem-solving and process improvement.
• Position will operate on a hybrid schedule in a professional office environment and is expected to work in office at least three (3) days a week (Tues - Thursday). The ability to work additional hours beyond the normal schedule may be required, especially around relevant election dates or filing periods. Some infrequent travel is required.
• Position routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
• Position requires that the employee be able to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment.

Physical Demands

• This position is primarily a sedentary position. However, some duties and responsibilities may require the employee to lift files, open filing cabinets, bend or stand, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, occasionally move about to access office equipment, file cabinets, etc.
• May require employee to carry or lift items weighing up to 10 pounds.

Disclaimer

Elias Law Group LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, protected veterans, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, compensation, benefits, social and recreational activities and termination.