Labor & Employment Associate Attorney

Partners Legal Search; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Partners Legal Search’s Am Law 100 client seeks a Labor & Employment Associate in San Diego to develop a well-rounded practice combining litigation and counseling. You will handle wage/hour, PAGA and class actions, discrimination and retaliation claims, and other workplace matters with direct client exposure.

The role emphasizes meaningful client interaction, hands-on litigation responsibility, and opportunities to grow within a national platform.

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school and active CA bar in good standing.
• 2–3 years of Labor & Employment experience in CA matters.
• Experience with wage/hour, PAGA, and class action litigation.
• Strong research, writing, and advocacy skills.
• Experience with discovery and motion practice; client counseling.

Responsibilities

• Represent employers in California employment matters, including wage/hour and PAGA issues.
• Handle discrimination, retaliation, harassment claims, and related litigation.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other court filings; conduct legal research.
• Manage discovery, motion practice in state and federal court, and strategy.
• Lead settlement conferences and negotiate resolutions; advise clients directly.
• Build long-term client relationships and provide day-to-day counseling.

Skills

Labor & Employment experience

Legal research

Writing & advocacy

Client communication

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Active California Bar membership

Job description

Our Am Law 100 client is seeking a Labor & Employment Associate to join its nationally recognized practice in San Diego.

This is an excellent opportunity for a California employment attorney looking to develop a well-rounded practice combining employment litigation and day-to-day counseling. The associate will work on sophisticated matters involving wage and hour disputes, PAGA and class actions, discrimination and retaliation claims, and other workplace issues.

The role offers meaningful client interaction, hands-on litigation responsibility, and the opportunity to develop long-term relationships and grow your practice within a national platform.

Role Overview

The associate will represent employers in a broad range of California employment matters, including:

• California wage and hour litigation
• PAGA and class action matters
• Discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims
• Written and document discovery
• Drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, and other court filings
• Legal research and case strategy
• Motion practice in state and federal court
• Settlement conferences and negotiations
• Trial preparation
• Direct client counseling and relationship management

Candidate Profile

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active California Bar membership in good standing
• 2-3 years of Labor & Employment experience
• Experience with California wage and hour, PAGA, and/or class action litigation
• Experience handling discrimination, retaliation, harassment, or related employment claims
• Employment counseling experience preferred
• Strong legal research, writing, and advocacy skills
• Experience with discovery and motion practice
• State and federal court experience preferred
• Strong academic credentials
• Excellent interpersonal and client communication skills
• Interest in developing client relationships and growing a long-term employment practice

Why This Is a Great Opportunity

• Join a nationally recognized Am Law 100 Labor & Employment practice
• Develop a balanced practice combining litigation and employment counseling
• Work on sophisticated California wage and hour, PAGA, and class action matters
• Gain meaningful responsibility and direct client exposure early in your career
• Develop state and federal court experience
• Learn from a highly regarded national employment team
• Strong mentorship and professional development
• Excellent platform to build client relationships and grow your own practice over time