Labor & Employment Associate

KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 295,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work policy

Job summary

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP’s Labor & Employment Practice Group seeks a highly motivated mid-level associate with a solid background in labor and employment litigation, compliance and counseling. Preference for New York office location.

Responsibilities include advising employers on wage/hour, discrimination, harassment and leave issues; drafting policies and agreements; managing investigations; and handling litigation in federal/state courts.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school with top academic credentials.
• 3–5 years of labor & employment experience in a law firm.
• Excellent writing and communication skills for effective advocacy.
• Strong analytical abilities, sound judgment and intellectual curiosity.
• Admission to the New York bar required; NJ/PA/CT a plus.

Responsibilities

• Advising employers on federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Counseling clients on traditional labor matters such as negotiations and arbitrations.
• Drafting employment policies, handbooks, and separation agreements.
• Managing agency investigations before EEOC, DOL and state/local agencies.
• Handling employment and labor litigation in federal and state courts.
• Drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, and other court filings.
• Managing discovery, depositions, and document production.

Skills

Labor & employment law

Legal writing

Client counseling

Oral advocacy

Education

JD from accredited law school

Job description

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP’s Labor & Employment Practice Group is seeking a highly motivated mid-level associate with a solid background in labor and employment litigation, compliance and counseling work. We have a strong preference for the candidate to be based in our New York office. Ideal candidates will have previous law firm experience, and at least 3 years of experience advising employers on a broad range of labor and employment matters, including:

• Advising employers on federal, state, and local employment laws, including wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and leave issues.
• Counseling clients on a wide range of traditional labor matters such as collective bargaining negotiations, labor arbitrations, union-avoidance strategies and campaigns, labor-management relations, and representation and unfair labor practice proceedings before the NLRB.
• Drafting employment policies, employee handbooks, employment agreements, separation agreements, and other workplace-related documents.
• Managing agency investigations before the EEOC, DOL, and relevant state and local agencies.
• Handling employment and labor litigation in federal and state courts, as well as administrative proceedings, arbitrations, and mediations.
• Drafting pleadings, dispositive motions, motions to compel, briefs, position statements, and other court filings.
• Managing all phases of discovery, including drafting and responding to written discovery, negotiating discovery disputes, preparing and responding to subpoenas, overseeing document collection and production, and taking and defending depositions of parties, fact witnesses, and corporate representatives.

Candidates must also possess:

• JD from an accredited law school and top academic credentials
• 3-5 years of labor & employment experience in a law firm
• Excellent writing and communication skills that support effective advocacy for clients
• Strong analytical abilities, sound judgment, and intellectual curiosity
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to build strong client and team relationships
• Demonstrated work ethic and commitment to delivering exceptional service to exacting clients and colleagues
• Ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously while maintaining high-quality work product
• Admission to the New York bar required; admission in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and/or Connecticut is a plus

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and transcripts (law, and graduate, if applicable).

The salary range displayed is specifically for those potential hires who will work or reside in New York if selected for the role. Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data/ranges, applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees, and certifications (e.g., JD/technology) for example. Salary Range: $250,000 - $295,000.

Kelley Drye offers competitive compensation and benefits packages. Our comprehensive benefits program helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle, achieve financial security, and address your personal and family needs. Programs include health benefits, life insurance and disability income protection, paid parental leave, retirement savings and planning, college coaching, child and elder care offerings, and more. We currently have a hybrid work policy.

Please be advised that all communications regarding open positions at our firm will exclusively originate from email addresses ending in @kelleydrye.com. We encourage you to exercise caution and verify the source of any communication claiming to represent our firm.

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).