Labor & Employment Mid-Level Associate

McGuireWoods seeks a mid-level associate to join its Labor & Employment Department in the firm’s Los Angeles (Century City) office.

About the Team

McGuireWoods' Labor & Employment group is one of the most active employer-side practices in the country, handling upwards of 4,000 employment-related matters each year for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to emerging businesses and nonprofits. The Los Angeles team operates at the intersection of three core practice areas:

• Employment Litigation. Our litigators and trial lawyers defend employers across every form of employment claim in state and federal courts and in arbitral forums, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, whistleblower, and restrictive covenant disputes. We are the go-to team for our clients' most sensitive and high-stakes employment matters.
• Wage & Hour Class, Collective, and Representative Actions. We defend employers against FLSA collective claims, state wage-and-hour class actions, and PAGA representative actions—including off-the-clock, meal and rest break, misclassification, and improper notice claims. Our partners have defeated class certification, won trials and arbitrations, and negotiated favorable outcomes at every stage of litigation.
• Labor Relations. Our labor management relations team handles union petitions, campaigns, NLRB elections, collective bargaining negotiations, grievance arbitrations, and unfair labor practice proceedings. We help clients build and maintain positive employee relations strategies—whether in unionized or non-unionized settings.

The team represents domestic and international employers across diverse industries, including manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, education, retail, hospitality, insurance, natural resources, and professional services. Associates develop broad skill sets, moving fluidly between class action defense, single-plaintiff litigation, administrative proceedings, and client counseling on compliance, handbooks, and employment policies.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the defense of wage and hour class actions and PAGA representative actions, including handling discovery, conducting witness interviews, and briefing class certification issues.
• Play a key role in defending single-plaintiff employment cases in state and federal court and in arbitration, including taking and defending depositions, managing discovery, and drafting dispositive motions.
• Represent clients in administrative hearings and proceedings, respond to EEOC and CRD charges, and draft responses to demand letters.
• Collaborate with partners and senior attorneys on case strategy while taking increasing ownership of your matters as part of your professional growth.
• Advise clients on California labor and employment compliance issues.

Requirements

• 3-6 years of relevant California labor and employment experience at a leading law firm.
• Demonstrated experience defending wage and hour class actions and PAGA actions, including handling discovery, witness interviews, and briefing class certification issues with partner or senior attorney oversight.
• Experience in California defending single-plaintiff employment cases with partner or senior attorney oversight—including depositions, discovery, and dispositive motions in state and federal court (and in arbitration).
• Experience representing clients in administrative hearings and proceedings, on EEOC/CRD charges, and in responses to demand letters.
• Experience advising clients on California labor and employment compliance issues is preferred but not required.
• Traditional labor law experience is a plus, but not required.
• Strong academic background with top-notch legal research, analysis, and writing abilities, including fluent working knowledge of California state and federal court procedural and evidence rules.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with client, business, and legal teams.
• Willingness and desire to work with innovative technology platforms, including Harvey AI to accelerate research, streamline document drafting, and enhance analytical work.
• Admission to the California Bar is required.

About the Firm

McGuireWoods, one of the world’s leading law firms, has provided legal solutions to corporate, individual, and nonprofit clients since 1834. The firm offers a competitive salary with hours and merit bonus opportunities, as well as billable hours credit for pro bono work. The firm continually enhances support for lawyers in their careers.

Pay

$260,000 - $390,000