Senior Employment Litigation Attorney

Lagasse Branch Bell + Kinkead LLP; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Business Origination Bonus

100% Paid Health Insurance

Annual Profit‑Sharing Contributions by the Firm

Job summary

Lagasse Branch Bell + Kinkead LLP is seeking a Senior Employment Litigation Attorney for its San Diego office. The role offers an engaging environment, focusing on complex employment matters with significant autonomy.

Ideal candidates will possess 7+ years of experience in employment litigation, a J.D. from an ABA-accredited school, and an active California bar admission. The firm offers a competitive salary of $180,000–$230,000, along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 7 or more years of employment litigation experience, defense side strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a full caseload with minimal supervision.
• Excellent legal writer with sharp attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a sophisticated caseload of single plaintiff employment defense matters.
• Defend clients in claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
• Develop and execute case strategy, analyze liability and damages.

Skills

Employment litigation experience

Client communication

Legal writing

Trial experience

Education

J.D. from an ABA accredited law school

Active California bar admission

Job description

$180,000 – $230,000 depending on experience

The Opportunity

Lagasse Branch Bell + Kinkead (LBBK) is looking for a senior employment litigation attorney to join our San Diego team. This is a role for someone who is ready to step into a high-level position, run complex matters independently, and play a meaningful role in shaping how we continue to grow our employment practice. You will have direct client relationships, real autonomy over your caseload, and a team around you that is genuinely invested in your success.

If you are an experienced employment litigator who has been doing the work for years and is looking for a firm that will recognize that experience, reward it appropriately, and give you the runway to keep building, we want to talk.

Who We Are

LBBK is a certified female‑owned litigation firm with offices across California. We are proud to have been recognized multiple times as one of the Best Places to Work by the San Diego Business Journal, and we do not take that lightly. Our team is collaborative, high‑performing, and genuinely enjoys what they do. We are not a revolving door. The attorneys who join us tend to stay, grow, and build their careers here.

We defend California employers across the full spectrum of employment litigation, from single plaintiff claims in court and arbitration to administrative charges and wage and hour matters. Our clients are sophisticated businesses that rely on us as true partners, and our senior attorneys are at the center of those relationships.

What You Will Do

• Independently manage and run a sophisticated caseload of single plaintiff employment defense matters from inception through resolution
• Defend clients in claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, leave‑related matters, and wage and hour issues
• Develop and execute case strategy, analyze liability and damages, and advise clients on risk and resolution
• Take and defend depositions, including expert and PMK depositions
• Draft and argue substantive motions including motions for summary judgment, motions in limine, and discovery motions
• Represent clients at court conferences, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trial
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients and maintain strong ongoing client relationships
• Mentor and support junior associates on the employment team
• Meet an 1,850 annual billable hour requirement

What We Are Looking For

• J.D. from an ABA accredited law school
• Active California bar admission in good standing
• 7 or more years of employment litigation experience, defense side strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a full caseload with minimal supervision
• Significant deposition experience including expert and PMK depositions
• Strong motion practice background including summary judgment experience
• Trial experience strongly preferred
• Excellent legal writer with sharp attention to detail
• Strong client communication and relationship management skills
• Collaborative team player with a genuine interest in developing junior attorneys
• Wage and hour experience is a plus but not required

What We Offer

• Base salary between $180,000 and $230,000 depending on experience
• Annual Business Origination Bonus
• Annual Objective Bonus for hours billed over 1,850
• Annual 401k Contributions by the Firm
• Annual Profit‑Sharing Contributions by the Firm
• 100% Paid Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) for Associate
• Paid Life Insurance and Long‑Term Disability Insurance
• Wellness Benefit Reimbursement
• Cell Phone and Internet Stipend
• Paid Maternity, Paternity, Catastrophic Disability, Bereavement, and Jury Duty Leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health Care and Dependent Care
• Paid and Firm‑Sponsored CLE
• Employee Assistance Program

Why LBBK

We are a firm that invests in our people at every level, and that is especially true for senior attorneys. You will have real autonomy, meaningful client relationships, and a collaborative environment where your experience is valued and your contributions are recognized. If you are looking for a long‑term home where you can continue doing high‑level employment litigation work alongside people who take their craft seriously and enjoy doing it, we would love to connect.