Employment Litigation Associate — Phoenix, AZ

plug-legal; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with profit-sharing contributions

Generous paid time off

Paid parental leave

Life, long-term disability insurance

Student loan refinancing program

Professional development support

Job summary

plug-legal, a premier national labor and employment defense firm in Phoenix, is seeking a mid-level litigation associate to join their established team. Candidates with 2 to 5 years of experience will be given the opportunity to manage high-stakes cases and provide strategic counseling to corporate clients.

The firm offers competitive compensation, including a performance-based bonus structure, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive team environment focused on professional growth.

Qualifications

• 2 to 5 years of experience in litigation, preferably in labor and employment.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Demonstrated interest in labor and employment defense.

Responsibilities

• Defend employers against complex statutory employment claims.
• Collaborate with corporate HR executives on compliance matters.
• Take depositions and draft dispositive motions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excellent writing skills

Education

Active admission to the Arizona Bar

Job description

Labor and Employment · 2–5 Years of Experience · Arizona Bar Admission Required

A premier, national labor and employment defense firm is seeking a mid-level litigation associate to join its established Phoenix office. This is a deliberate career move for an attorney looking to transition from general commercial litigation into a highly marketable, specialized practice, or for an existing employment litigator seeking a more robust, sophisticated national defense platform.

The Work

You will step directly into high-stakes management-side representation, balancing active litigation with high-level strategic counseling. The role is designed to give mid-level associates a level of autonomy and file ownership that is rarely found at traditional, general-practice Am Law firms.

• Active Advocacy: Defend employers against complex statutory employment claims and manage high-stakes restrictive covenant and trade secret disputes.
• Strategic Counseling: Partner directly with corporate HR executives and general counsel on sophisticated compliance matters, including drafting executive bonus and pay plans, arbitration agreements, and comprehensive employment policies.
• Case Ownership: Manage multiple active cases under the direct mentorship of leading partners, moving past the "document review" stage into taking depositions, drafting dispositive motions, and shaping defense strategy.

Who This Is For

We are looking for an analytical, independent attorney with 2 to 5 years of experience who is ready to run with matters.

While substantial labor and employment experience is highly valued, the firm will explicitly consider strong commercial litigators who possess excellent writing skills and a demonstrated, genuine interest in pivoting into labor and employment defense. Strong academic credentials and active admission to the Arizona Bar are required.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation is highly competitive with leading national firms, unpinned from a rigid scale to remain commensurate with your specific experience level. It includes a performance-based bonus structure and an industry-leading benefits package:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with profit‑sharing contributions
• Generous paid time off and paid parental leave
• Life, long‑term disability, and optional dependent/supplemental insurance
• Student loan refinancing program and professional development support