Employment Litigation Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel is seeking a 3rd–4th year Employment Litigation Associate to join a top-tier Am Law firm with a nationally recognized Employment Law practice. Based in the firm’s San Francisco office, this role offers the opportunity to work on high-impact employment matters for leading employers across a range of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and entertainment.

About the Role:
The incoming associate will play a key role in representing employers in complex employment disputes, with significant responsibility from the outset. This includes hands-on experience managing single-plaintiff and class action litigation, as well as handling matters related to trade secrets, restrictive covenants, pay equity, and wage and hour compliance. Associates are given the opportunity to work closely with seasoned partners and high-profile clients on a range of employment litigation and advisory matters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of employment litigation, including case strategy, written discovery, depositions, dispositive motions, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation

• Draft pleadings, legal memoranda, and correspondence with precision and clarity

• Conduct fact investigations, legal research, and witness interviews

• Provide strategic counseling to clients on employment law compliance and risk mitigation

• Collaborate closely with other attorneys across practice groups, including corporate, IP, and privacy

Qualifications:

• J.D. earned between 2020 and 2021

• Admission to the California Bar required

• 3–4 years of litigation experience, with a strong preference for candidates with prior employment litigation exposure

• Experience with trade secret claims, non-compete agreements, class actions, or pay equity matters is a plus

• Strong academic background from a top law school and excellent legal writing skills

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple matters and work effectively in a fast-paced team environment

Compensation: The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $260,000 to $310,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Additional bonuses and benefits offered in line with peer firms in the Am Law 100.