Labor & Employment Associate

barnes; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnes & Thornburg LLP seeks a Labor & Employment Associate in its Chicago office with 2-5 years of experience in employment litigation and counseling. The position focuses on defending employers in wage/hour matters, advising on employment law, and handling traditional labor issues within a national practice.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong writing and analytical skills, admission to the Illinois Bar, and a collaborative mindset geared toward contributing to a growing, diverse team.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in employment litigation and counseling.
• Experience with wage and hour matters and employment class action litigation.
• Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Admission to and good standing with the Illinois Bar.
• Willingness to contribute to a national practice and collaborate.

Responsibilities

• Handle employment litigation matters, including single-plaintiff cases.
• Provide employment law advice and counseling to clients.
• Represent employers in wage/hour and class-action matters.
• Collaborate with a growing national practice and internal teams.

Skills

Litigation experience

Wage & hour experience

Writing & research

Team collaboration

Education

J.D.

Job description

The Chicago office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP is seeking a Labor & Employment Associate with 2-5 years of experience in employment litigation and counseling. Our Chicago team maintains a diverse practice encompassing employment litigation, advice and counseling, and traditional labor management-side matters.

The ideal candidate will have substantial experience handling single‑plaintiff employment litigation, providing employment law advice and counseling, and representing employers in wage and hour and employment class action matters. Experience in traditional labor law, including arbitrations, contract administration, and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) matters involving union avoidance, union campaigns, and unfair labor practice defense, is a plus but is not required.

Required Qualifications:

• 2-5 years of substantive experience in employment litigation and counseling, including single-plaintiff employment matters
• Experience with wage and hour matters and employment class action litigation
• Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills
• Strong academic credentials
• Admission to and good standing with the Illinois Bar
• Successful candidates will be highly motivated to contribute to an active national practice, demonstrate initiative and a willingness to assume responsibility for client matters, and possess strong interpersonal skills to thrive in a collaborative team environment.

About Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Barnes & Thornburg LLP is an AmLaw 100 national, full-service law firm with 26 offices. The firm has an exceptional reputation for fostering an inclusive, collegial, and supportive environment where attorneys can thrive, develop professionally, and advance their careers.

Equal Employment and Opportunity Statement:

Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran's status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.