Labor & Employment Attorney

States HR CO; Calabasas (CA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

States HR Co. is seeking an experienced Associate to join its labor and employment litigation team in California. This hands-on role offers significant responsibility, direct client interaction, and ownership of cases from start to finish.

The ideal candidate has 2–8 years of relevant experience, strong research and writing skills, and active CA Bar membership. A hybrid schedule is offered, with a focus on independent case development and mentorship within the firm.

Qualifications

• 2–8 years of California labor and employment litigation experience.
• Defense-side experience preferred.
• Active California Bar membership in good standing.
• Single-plaintiff litigation experience strongly preferred.
• PAGA and wage-and-hour experience is a plus.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Ability to independently manage and develop litigation matters.
• Comfortable working directly with clients and taking ownership of cases.

Responsibilities

• Defend California employers in single-plaintiff matters involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and FEHA claims.
• Handle PAGA representative actions and wage-and-hour litigation.
• Draft dispositive motions, discovery, mediation briefs, and other litigation documents.
• Take and defend depositions.
• Advise clients on day-to-day employment matters and litigation risk.
• Appear in California state and federal courts.
• Manage cases from initial pleadings through resolution.

Skills

Litigation

Legal research

Legal writing

Client interaction

Education

Active California Bar membership

Job description

Job Description:

Position Overview:

A boutique California law firm specializing in labor and employment defense is seeking an experienced Associate to join its litigation team.

This is a hands-on opportunity offering significant responsibility, direct client interaction, and involvement across the full lifecycle of employment litigation. The role is suited to an attorney who wants meaningful case ownership and exposure to complex labor and employment matters.

What You'll Do:

• Defend California employers in single-plaintiff matters involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and FEHA claims.
• Handle PAGA representative actions and wage-and-hour litigation.
• Draft dispositive motions, discovery, mediation briefs, and other litigation documents.
• Take and defend depositions.
• Advise clients on day-to-day employment matters and litigation risk.
• Appear in California state and federal courts.
• Manage cases from initial pleadings through resolution.

What We're Looking For:

• 2–8 years of California labor and employment litigation experience.
• Defense-side experience preferred.
• Active California Bar membership in good standing.
• Single-plaintiff litigation experience strongly preferred.
• PAGA and wage-and-hour experience is a plus.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Ability to independently manage and develop litigation matters.
• Comfortable working directly with clients and taking ownership of cases.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Base salary: $160,000–$200,000.
• 1,500 annual billable-hour expectation.
• Fully covered health insurance.
• Hybrid schedule with approximately 3 days per week in the office.
• No EPLI/insurance carrier work.