Labor and Employment Associate

Distinct | North America; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Distinct | North America in San Jose seeks an Labor and Employment Associate for a hybrid role. You will handle wage-hour claims, misclassification issues, and defend discrimination cases while learning the employment practice.

Experience in civil litigation and admission to the California Bar are essential. You will also take depositions, manage discovery, draft motions, and advise employers on policies and investigations, supporting a smooth transition from litigation to employment work within

Qualifications

• 1–5 years in civil litigation is preferred
• Must have California Bar admission
• Open to transitioning to employment side and learning on the job

Responsibilities

• Handle wage and hour claims and contractor misclassification (from one employee up to a class)
• Defend discrimination, harassment and retaliation cases (state and federal)
• Take depositions and manage written discovery and related motions
• Advise employers on policies and workplace investigations before filing

Skills

Civil litigation

Wage and hour claims

Misclassification

Depositions

Education

California Bar admission

Job description

Labor and Employment Associate | Hybrid, San Jose | $220,000 to $290,000

You took the litigation job in your third year of law school because it was the offer on the table, and for a while it didn't matter much what the cases were about. Then a wrongful termination file came your way because nobody else wanted it, and you read the whole personnel file on a Saturday without anyone asking you to. Since then you've put your hand up for two more, and the contract disputes still get done, you just don't think about them on the drive home.

This firm will take somebody like that. Anywhere from one to five years in civil litigation, plus the California Bar, gets you in the door, and they'll teach you the employment side. The move costs you least right now, while your litigation years still count in full. Leave it until year seven and every interviewer wants to know why you'd start again.

What you'd be doing in San Jose:

• Wage and hour claims and contractor misclassification, from one employee up to a whole class
• Defending discrimination, harassment and retaliation cases, state and federal
• Taking your own depositions, written discovery and the motions that come out of both
• Advising employers on policies and workplace investigations before anybody files

It's hybrid out of San Jose and it pays $220,000 to $290,000.