Labor and Employment Associate

Warner Norcross + Judd; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Wellness program

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP is seeking a midlevel associate for its Labor + Employment Practice Group, with a preference for the Grand Rapids office. The role supports employers on day‑to‑day workplace issues, drafts employment agreements and handbooks, and represents clients in agency proceedings and disputes.

The ideal candidate has 4–6 years of labor and employment experience, excellent communication and analytical skills, and a JD from an ABA‑accredited school. Michigan licensure is expected.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of labor and employment experience in a law firm, government, in‑house, or similar setting.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex issues clearly and practically to clients.
• Strong analytical, research, legal writing, negotiation, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage multiple matters, deadlines, and client needs with attention to detail and responsiveness.
• Commitment to collaboration, professionalism, and exceptional client service.

Responsibilities

• Advise employers on labor and employment laws across multiple jurisdictions, including major statutes.
• Counsel clients on employee relations issues, including discipline, termination, leave, wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, and policy matters.
• Handle agency proceedings and employment disputes, including drafting statements and preparing for hearings.
• Draft and review employment agreements, handbooks, policies, and related documents.
• Conduct workplace investigations and provide practical recommendations to clients.
• Prepare and present client training on labor and employment laws.
• Assist with labor relations matters and union representation issues.
• Advise on employment issues in business transactions or restructurings.
• Mentor junior associates and contribute to client development.

Skills

Labor & Employment

Counsel clients

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Multi-jurisdictional issues

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-approved)

Job description

Description

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has an immediate opening for a midlevel associate to join its Labor + Employment Practice Group based in any of the firm’s offices, with a preference for its Grand Rapids office. This position will support the firm’s Labor and Employment clients by advising employers on day-to-day workplace issues, drafting employee handbooks and employment‑related agreements, representing clients in agency proceedings and employment disputes, conducting workplace investigations, and assisting with labor relations matters.

About the Position

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has an immediate opening for a midlevel associate to join its Labor + Employment Practice Group based in any of the firm’s offices, with a preference for its Grand Rapids office. This position will support the firm’s Labor and Employment clients by advising employers on day-to-day workplace issues, drafting employee handbooks and employment‑related agreements, representing clients in agency proceedings and employment disputes, conducting workplace investigations, and assisting with labor relations matters.

Responsibilities

• Advise employers on labor and employment laws across multiple jurisdictions, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the ADA, FMLA, FLSA, NLRA, and other applicable laws.
• Counsel clients on employee relations issues, including discipline, termination, leave, accommodation, wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, and workplace policy matters.
• Handle EEOC, MDCR, NLRB, DOL, LEO‑WHD, and unemployment matters, including drafting position statements, responding to agency requests, and preparing for hearings.
• Draft and review employment agreements, separation and release agreements, employee handbooks, workplace policies, and related employment documents.
• Conduct workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other employee relations concerns, and provide practical recommendations to clients.
• Prepare and present client training on labor and employment laws.
• Assist with collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, union representation matters, and other labor relations issues.
• Advise on employment issues arising in business transactions, restructurings, plant closings, and reductions in force.
• Mentor and supervise junior associates as appropriate, and collaborate with attorneys across the firm to provide practical, client‑focused counsel.
• Contribute to client development through presentations, publications, and practice group initiatives.

Qualifications

• Approximately 4 to 6 years of labor and employment experience in a law firm, government, in‑house, or similar setting.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex labor and employment issues clearly and practically to clients.
• Strong analytical, research, legal writing, negotiation, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to identify issues, exercise sound judgment, and provide thoughtful, business‑oriented legal advice.
• Ability to manage multiple matters, deadlines, and client needs with strong attention to detail and responsiveness.
• Commitment to collaboration, professionalism, and exceptional client service.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

About You

• Juris Doctor from an ABA‑accredited law school.
• Licensed or willing to become licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Michigan.
• Experience advising employers on employment law compliance and workplace issues.
• Experience handling or supporting administrative agency proceedings, workplace investigations, employment litigation, labor relations matters, or a combination of these areas.
• Ability to independently draft and review moderately complex employment‑related agreements, policies, and other documents.
• Interest in developing client relationships and contributing to the growth of the Labor + Employment Practice Group.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing and the ability to lift up to 25 pounds as needed.

About Warner

By providing discerning and proactive legal advice, Warner Norcross + Judd builds a better partnership with its clients. Warner is a full‑service corporate law firm with 220+ attorneys practicing in nine offices throughout Michigan: Bloomfield Hills, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Macomb, Midland and Muskegon. To learn more, visit www.wnj.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn or Facebook.

About Our Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Firm‑provided life insurance and disability coverage
• 401k with employer contribution or match depending on plan design
• Firm holidays
• Remote work flexibility
• Wellness program
• Employee assistance program
• Professional development opportunities

About Our Culture

Warner's cultural motto is "Fun, Pride + Profit...in that Order". We build A Better Partnership through:

• Teamwork - Warner's lockstep compensation model encourages teamwork and distinguishes us from our competitors. Partner and associate salaries are set based upon seniority, not total hours worked, encouraging client legal projects to be routed to the most knowledgeable person in the firm. Our team approach to compensation yields better legal representation for our clients and lays the foundation for a fun culture without internal financial competition. We have a team atmosphere where people like working together and supporting each other.
• Diversity - At Warner, we take an "all in" approach to DEI - engaging people at all levels of the firm to lead and participate on DEI committees and initiatives. This ensures a broad base of support from team members truly invested in leading the charge. It's because of their time and efforts we are as successful as we are - and that success radiates throughout the whole firm. Our DEI work has become not only the right thing to do, but more importantly, what our people want to do.
• Careers - Our culture of balanced personal and professional lifestyle allows us to maintain a 94% attorney retention rate. Attorneys throughout Michigan, the region and beyond are choosing Warner as their forever home - and because of our dedicated focus on living balanced lives, our attorneys' families are fully supporting these important decisions.
• Community - Warner's time‑honored community engagement initiatives include financial contributions to 150+ nonprofits, scholarships and paid time off for all firm members to engage in community initiatives that are meaningful to them.

Closing Statement

Warner hires top talent at every point in our organization. We are seeking dedicated professionals with diverse backgrounds who strive to support the firm and its goals. Our collegial culture attracts people with diverse skills and backgrounds who are dedicated to teamwork and client service.