San Francisco - Mid-Level Employment Litigation Associate Attorney

Pernini Legal, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 245,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

Pernini Legal, Inc. in San Francisco seeks an experienced Employment Litigation Associate Attorney to join its Labor & Employment Litigation Practice.

The role focuses on representing employers in wage & hour class actions and PAGA matters in California. Ideal candidates hold a JD from a top-tier law school, California bar in good standing, 4–6 years of substantive employment litigation, and strong skills in discovery, pleadings, motions, and depositions.

Qualifications

• JD from a top-tier law school with excellent academic record.
• Active California Bar in good standing.
• 4–6 years of substantive employment litigation experience.
• Experience handling California wage & hour class actions and PAGA claims.
• Experience drafting and responding to discovery and initial pleadings.
• Experience drafting and arguing motions and taking/defending depositions.
• Strong writing, analytical and research skills with ability to manage multiple matters.

Responsibilities

• Represent employers in California wage & hour class actions and PAGA litigation.
• 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.

Skills

Employment litigation

Wage & hour

PAGA

Discovery

Motions

Depositions

Legal writing

Education

JD from a top-tier law school

Job description

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

Location: San Francisco, CA

Our client, an AmLaw 150international labor and employment law firm, is seeking a talentedAssociate Attorney to join its dynamic Labor & Employment Litigation Practice in San Francisco. This role offers the opportunity to handle complex California wage & hour class action claims and PAGA matters, representing employers in high-stakes litigation and advising on compliance and risk management strategies.

• JD from a top-tier law school with an excellent academic record
• Active Bar Admission in California, in good standing
• 4-6 years of substantive employment litigation experience
• Experience handling California wage and hour class actions and PAGA claims
• Skilled in drafting and responding to discovery and initial pleadings
• Experience drafting and arguing motions, and taking and defending depositions
• Strong writing, analytical, and research skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment
• Soft Skills: Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively; strong communication and organizational skills

Key Responsibilities

• Represent employers in California wage & hour class action and PAGA litigation
• 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

Why Join Us?

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to join a premier labor and employment law firm, recognized for their excellence in handling high-profile wage & hour litigation, class actions, and PAGA litigation. In this role, you will handle sophisticated litigation matters impacting major employers across California and beyond. Attorneys in this practice benefit from direct client interaction, hands-on litigation experience, ongoing training, and meaningful opportunities for advancement. The firm fosters an inclusive, collaborative culture where talented attorneys thrive through mentorship, professional development support, and exposure to cutting-edge labor and employment issues.

For driven associates seeking to cultivate deep subject-matter expertise and advance within a market-leading practice, this role provides a strong foundation for long-term career growth.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive Salary: Annual base salary expected to range from $245,000 - $275,000, based on experience, qualifications, and market factors
• Eligibility forbonuses and profit-sharing
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid time off; paid parental leave; 401(k) with employer contribution; family/dependent care leave; FSA/HSA; and an employee assistance program
• Additional Benefits: Optional critical care, accident and hospital indemnity coverage, domestic partner benefits, student loan refinancing support; dependent life insurance; and pet insurance

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer.