Employment Defense Attorney

Join a respected full-service law firm in Newport Beach with a 75-year legacy. Our Labor and Employment team serves as trusted advisors and outside general counsel to employers of all sizes, handling a broad spectrum of workplace issues and disputes.

About the role

This is an outstanding opportunity for a California-licensed Employment Litigation Associate seeking sophisticated work, meaningful client interaction, and long-term career growth within a collaborative and collegial environment. Unlike many employment defense practices, we represent clients directly rather than through insurance carriers, offering:

• More direct and meaningful client relationships
• Greater involvement in case strategy and counseling
• Higher-value legal work
• Smaller caseloads with deeper engagement
• Opportunities to become trusted business advisors

Practice Areas

• Employment counseling and risk management
• Pre-litigation disputes
• Single-plaintiff litigation
• Wage and hour matters
• Class actions
• PAGA litigation
• Harassment claims
• Discrimination claims
• Retaliation claims
• Wrongful termination matters
• State and federal court litigation
• Mediation and arbitration proceedings

Responsibilities

• Manage employment litigation matters from inception through resolution
• Draft and respond to pleadings
• Prepare and respond to written discovery
• Conduct legal research and analysis
• Draft dispositive motions, including summary judgment and summary adjudication motions
• Prepare for and assist with depositions
• Participate in mediations and arbitrations
• Draft trial briefs and trial-related documents
• Work directly with clients on litigation strategy and employment issues
• Collaborate with partners and other attorneys on complex matters

Requirements

• Active membership in the California State Bar
• Experience with California and/or federal employment law matters
• Strong legal writing, research, and analytical skills
• Experience drafting pleadings, motions, and discovery responses
• Excellent communication and client service skills

Qualifications

• 2 to 10 years of California employment litigation experience (preferred)
• Experience with wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination matters
• Exposure to class action and PAGA litigation
• Experience preparing for depositions, mediation, arbitration, or trial
• Open to newly admitted California attorneys with substantial labor and employment experience through law clerk, summer associate, or in-house legal roles

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) Matching
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Life Insurance
• Professional Development Assistance
• Vision Insurance

Must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship for a non-immigrant visa.