Wage & Hour Litigation Associate — Complex CA Defense

MDS Staffing; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

MDS Staffing represents a global Am Law 100 employment defense firm seeking an experienced Associate Attorney for a wage and hour litigation practice in Irvine, California. The attorney will handle sophisticated California wage and hour disputes with meaningful ownership and client exposure.

The role requires at least five years of litigation experience, strong California employment law skills, and the ability to manage complex matters with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of litigation experience in wage and hour matters.
• Strong knowledge of California Labor Code, PAGA, and FLSA.
• Experience with discovery, depositions, motions and legal writing.
• Ability to handle complex matters with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Develop litigation strategy and drive matters from early assessment through resolution.
• Take and defend depositions and manage significant written discovery.
• Research, draft, and argue motions, including dispositive and class-related motions.
• Prepare pleadings, briefs, and other key litigation documents.
• Evaluate and develop strategy for representative actions under PAGA.
• Analyze wage and hour issues: classification, regular-rate, meal/rest, wage statements, waiting-time penalties.
• Work with clients and collaborate with attorneys across the practice.

Skills

Litigation experience

CA employment law

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Team collaboration

Education

JD from ABA-accredited law school

Active California Bar admission

Job description

MDS Staffing represents a global Am Law 100 employment defense firm seeking an experienced Associate Attorney for a wage and hour litigation practice in Irvine, California. The attorney will handle sophisticated California wage and hour disputes with meaningful ownership and client exposure.

The role requires at least five years of litigation experience, strong California employment law skills, and the ability to manage complex matters with minimal supervision.