Labor And Employment Attorney

FrancisLorraine; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

FrancisLorraine in Orange County is seeking an associate with a JD earned between 2020 and 2022 to join its California employment practice. You will work on sophisticated matters for public companies, private equity-backed businesses, healthcare organizations, and middle-market employers.

The role combines high-stakes litigation with strategic counseling, offering meaningful responsibility, direct client contact, and exposure to challenging employment issues facing California employers.

Qualifications

• JD earned between 2020 and 2022.
• 3–5 years of labor and employment experience at a law firm.
• Experience handling California employment litigation, including wage and hour or PAGA matters.
• Strong legal writing, analytical, and advocacy skills.
• Experience with employment counseling and workplace investigations is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Defend employers in single-plaintiff employment litigation involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and whistleblower claims
• Handle wage and hour class actions, PAGA representative actions, and misclassification disputes
• Draft and argue motions, manage discovery, and participate in depositions, mediations, and court appearances
• Advise employers on workplace policies, employee relations matters, investigations, and compliance issues
• Assist with trade secret, restrictive covenant, and employee mobility disputes
• Work directly with business leaders, HR professionals, and in-house counsel on day-to-day employment matters

Skills

Legal writing

Advocacy

Employment counseling

Workplace investigations

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

A nationally recognized employer-side labor and employment practice is seeking an associate with a JD year of 2020–2022 to join its Orange County office. This role offers the opportunity to work on sophisticated California employment matters for public companies, private equity-backed businesses, healthcare organizations, and middle-market employers.

The practice combines high-stakes litigation with strategic counseling, providing associates with meaningful responsibility, direct client contact, and exposure to some of the most challenging employment issues facing California employers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Defend employers in single-plaintiff employment litigation involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and whistleblower claims


• Handle wage and hour class actions, PAGA representative actions, and misclassification disputes


• Draft and argue motions, manage discovery, and participate in depositions, mediations, and court appearances


• Advise employers on workplace policies, employee relations matters, investigations, and compliance issues


• Assist with trade secret, restrictive covenant, and employee mobility disputes


• Work directly with business leaders, HR professionals, and in-house counsel on day-to-day employment matters

Qualifications:

• JD earned between 2020 and 2022


• 3–5 years of labor and employment experience at a law firm


• Experience handling California employment litigation, including wage and hour or PAGA matters


• Strong legal writing, analytical, and advocacy skills


• Experience with employment counseling and workplace investigations is a plus

What the Role Offers:

• Sophisticated employer-side labor and employment practice


• Significant motion practice and litigation responsibility


• Direct client interaction and counseling opportunities


• Exposure to both litigation and preventive employment advice


• Competitive compensation and bonus opportunities

This is an excellent opportunity for an associate seeking a balanced labor and employment practice with meaningful responsibility, strong mentorship, and a pathway for long-term professional growth.