Labor & Employment Mid-Level to Senior Associate

McGuireWoods LLP; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

McGuireWoods LLP is seeking a Mid-level to Senior Associate (4+ years’ experience) to join its Labor & Employment practice in the firm’s Pittsburgh office.

The role involves handling high-stakes employment disputes, advising on sensitive workforce matters, and collaborating on private equity and M&A-related employment work. You will work directly with a partner, gaining meaningful responsibility and client exposure from the outset.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in labor and employment litigation or commercial litigation involving employment‑related issues.
• Experience with restrictive covenant disputes, trade secrets, or unfair competition matters strongly preferred
• Experience supporting injunction proceedings or other expedited litigation preferred
• Excellent legal research, analytical, and persuasive writing skills, including experience drafting substantive briefs and motions

Responsibilities

• Litigate restrictive covenant and trade secret disputes, including matters involving injunctive relief
• Manage substantive aspects of litigation: draft pleadings and motions, conduct research, develop case strategy, manage discovery, prepare for hearings and depositions
• Advise on executive mobility issues, onboarding, departures, and incentive arrangements
• Counsel clients on employment compliance, risk management, and sensitive personnel issues
• Support employment-related due diligence and risk assessment in private equity and M&A transactions
• Assist with internal investigations involving whistleblower or reputational concerns

Skills

Labor & Employment litigation

Commercial litigation

Legal research

Writing & briefs

Tools

Harvey AI

Job description

Job Description

McGuireWoods LLP is seeking a Mid-level to Senior Associate (4+ years’ experience) to join its Labor & Employment practice in the firm’s Pittsburgh office.

This is not a traditional employment law role. Attorneys in this practice advise companies, private equity sponsors, and senior executives on high-stakes employment disputes and sensitive workforce matters where legal strategy, business objectives, and leadership considerations intersect. The work is fast-paced, highly strategic, and often connected to issues that can affect enterprise value, executive leadership, and critical business operations.

The practice includes executive mobility disputes, restrictive covenant and trade secret litigation, and other complex employment matters involving senior-level talent and confidential business information. While litigation forms the core of the role, associates also collaborate on the employment aspects of private equity and M&A transactions, including diligence, risk assessment, and post-closing workforce integration.

Working directly with a partner on sensitive, mission-critical matters, you will gain meaningful responsibility, direct client exposure, and hands‑on experience from the outset. Successful candidates are intellectually curious, responsive under pressure, and eager to develop the judgment and skills necessary to translate complex legal issues into practical business solutions.

McGuireWoods, one of the world’s leading law firms, has provided legal solutions to corporate, individual and nonprofit clients since 1834. Along with excellent benefits, McGuireWoods offers our attorneys a competitive salary with hours and merit bonus opportunities and billable hours credit for pro bono work. Continually establishing new initiatives and enhancing existing efforts, we focus on meaningful support for our lawyers in their careers. Our Applicant Disclosures describe your rights. Our Privacy Statement describes how we will process and safeguard your personal data.

Responsibilities

• Litigating restrictive covenant and trade secret disputes, including matters involving injunctive relief
• Managing substantive aspects of litigation, including drafting pleadings and motions, conducting legal research, developing case strategy, managing discovery, and preparing for hearings and depositions
• Advising on executive mobility issues, including onboarding, departures, and incentive arrangements
• Counseling clients on employment compliance, risk management, and sensitive personnel issues
• Supporting employment-related due diligence and risk assessment in private equity and M&A transactions, including identifying material employment risks, evaluating restrictive covenants, and assisting with post-closing integration and portfolio company counseling
• Assisting with internal investigations involving whistleblower or reputational concerns

Job Requirements

• Qualified candidates will have 4+ years of experience in labor and employment litigation or commercial litigation involving employment‑related issues
• Experience with restrictive covenant disputes, trade secrets, or unfair competition matters strongly preferred
• Experience supporting injunction proceedings or other expedited litigation preferred
• Excellent legal research, analytical, and persuasive writing skills, including experience drafting substantive briefs, motions, and other litigation documents
• Excellent academic credentials
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work product under tight deadlines
• Ability to work effectively with corporate clients, private equity sponsors, and senior business leaders
• Demonstrated ownership mindset, intellectual curiosity, strong problem-solving instincts, and the ability to independently analyze complex issues, exercise sound judgment, and deliver high-quality work product under demanding deadlines
• Willingness and desire to work with innovative technology platforms. Our attorneys leverage Harvey AI to accelerate research, streamline document drafting, and enhance analytical work, allowing associates to focus on higher-value strategic thinking and client engagement
• Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar or eligibility to obtain admission promptly following hire is required