Labor & Employment Associate

Lockridge Partners; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work flexibility

Job summary

Lockridge Partners in Los Angeles seeks a mid-level associate to represent employers in complex workplace litigation and provide practical counseling on California employment issues. The role offers meaningful responsibility, direct client access, and exposure to both litigation and counseling.

Candidates should have 3–7 years of labor and employment experience, a J.D. from an accredited law school, and admission to the California Bar.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to the California Bar.
• 3–7 years of labor and employment experience at a law firm.
• Experience defending employers in California employment litigation.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Deposition, motion practice, workplace investigation, or employment counseling experience preferred.
• Ability to independently manage significant portions of matters while providing practical and responsive client advice.

Responsibilities

• Defend employers in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage-and-hour, and other employment litigation
• Handle matters in California state and federal courts and before relevant administrative agencies
• Take and defend depositions, manage discovery, draft dispositive motions, and participate in hearings, mediations, and trial preparation
• Counsel employers on terminations, accommodations, leaves, workplace policies, employee relations, and other California employment issues
• Support workplace investigations and advise clients on sensitive personnel matters and potential litigation exposure
• Communicate directly with clients and take increasing ownership of case strategy and day-to-day matter management

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Oral advocacy

Deposition experience

Motion practice

Counseling experience

Education

J.D. from accredited law school

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

A sophisticated Los Angeles labor and employment practice is seeking a mid-level associate to represent employers in complex workplace litigation and provide practical counseling on California employment issues. The practice handles discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage-and-hour, and other employment disputes while advising businesses before problems become lawsuits. Associates receive meaningful responsibility for cases, direct access to clients, deposition and motion experience, and exposure to both litigation and counseling. Compensation ranges from $200,000-$310,000, depending on experience.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Defend employers in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage-and-hour, and other employment litigation
• Handle matters in California state and federal courts and before relevant administrative agencies
• Take and defend depositions, manage discovery, draft dispositive motions, and participate in hearings, mediations, and trial preparation
• Counsel employers on terminations, accommodations, leaves, workplace policies, employee relations, and other California employment issues
• Support workplace investigations and advise clients on sensitive personnel matters and potential litigation exposure
• Communicate directly with clients and take increasing ownership of case strategy and day-to-day matter management

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to the California Bar
• 3–7 years of labor and employment experience at a law firm
• Experience defending employers in California employment litigation
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
• Deposition, motion practice, workplace investigation, or employment counseling experience preferred
• Ability to independently manage significant portions of matters while providing practical and responsive client advice

WHAT WE OFFER

A strong next step for employment attorneys who want to develop beyond high-volume litigation and become broader advisors to their clients. The role offers $200,000-$310,000 in annual compensation, hybrid flexibility, substantive case ownership, direct client relationships, meaningful advocacy experience, and exposure to both litigation and counseling. Associates can build the courtroom skills and practical business judgment needed to become trusted employment counsel.