San Diego Employment Litigation Associate — Wage & Hour/PAGA

Essenti Talent; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Profit-sharing

Comprehensive Benefits

Job summary

Essenti Talent is seeking a mid-level Employment Litigation Associate for its San Diego practice. The role focuses on wage-and-hour and PAGA matters, representing employers in high-stakes litigation and providing compliance guidance.

You will handle complex California wage-hour claims, draft pleadings, argue motions, and take/defend depositions while coordinating with partners and clients to craft case strategy.

Qualifications

• JD from a top-tier law school with an excellent academic record
• Active California Bar Admission in good standing
• 3+ years of substantive employment litigation experience including Wage & Hour class/collective actions and PAGA claims
• Skilled in drafting and responding to discovery and initial pleadings
• Experience drafting and arguing motions, and taking/defending depositions
• Strong writing, analytical, and research skills; ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment
• Soft skills: self-starter, independent and collaborative; strong communication and organizational skills

Responsibilities

• Represent employers in California employment litigation, including Wage & Hour class actions, collective actions, and PAGA claims
• Draft and respond to discovery requests and initial pleadings
• Draft, argue, and respond to motions in state and federal courts
• Take and defend depositions, and prepare witnesses for hearings
• Advise clients on employment compliance and risk mitigation strategies
• Collaborate with partners, associates, and clients to develop case strategy and provide practical solutions

Skills

Employment litigation

Wage & Hour

PAGA

Legal writing

Depositions

Education

JD

California Bar Admission

Job description

Essenti Talent is seeking a mid-level Employment Litigation Associate for its San Diego practice. The role focuses on wage-and-hour and PAGA matters, representing employers in high-stakes litigation and providing compliance guidance.

You will handle complex California wage-hour claims, draft pleadings, argue motions, and take/defend depositions while coordinating with partners and clients to craft case strategy.