Sr. Counsel, Employment Litigation

About the role

Tesla is looking for an experienced litigation attorney to join our employment law team. The Sr. Counsel, Employment Litigation will represent and defend Tesla in all aspects of employment-related litigation matters. As a member of Tesla’s fast-paced Legal Department, this attorney will handle primarily single plaintiff employment disputes and related litigation matters with the assistance of a paralegal. Key to this role is significant employment litigation and arbitration experience, with a focus on California practice.

Responsibilities

• Represent and defend Tesla in all aspects of employment-related litigation matters, including:
  • FEHA, Title VII and similar laws
  • Disability access and accommodation
  • Harassment and discrimination
  • Wage and hour claims
  • Wrongful terminations
  • Reductions in force
• Respond to complaints and other pleadings, draft and file motions to compel arbitration in California state and federal courts, propound and respond to discovery requests, prepare and file motions, appear in court, and represent Tesla at hearings, mediations, trials, and arbitrations
• Prepare witnesses for deposition and trial
• Negotiate for the dismissal or resolution of cases at all stages in the litigation process
• Maintain knowledge of current and emerging laws, regulations, and trends related to California employment and labor laws
• Report on proactive approaches to mitigating legal risk gleaned from litigation matters and facilitate Tesla’s ongoing compliance with applicable federal, state, and local labor and employment laws (FLSA, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FEHA, OFCCP, etc.)

Requirements

• Licensed attorney with 7-plus years of experience in California litigation (state and federal court) – California Bar Admission required
• Experience in employment defense litigation at a law firm or government agency, including:
  • Initial case assessment
  • Strategy development
  • Propounding and responding to discovery
  • Drafting motions
  • Mediation, arbitration, and court trials
• Entrepreneurial mindset with active ownership of areas of responsibility
• Capable of working both autonomously and collaboratively, effective at juggling and prioritizing multiple competing tasks in a fast-paced, challenging environment
• Quick and flexible learner: intellectually curious, open-minded, adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity and risk, and excited by dynamic change
• Adept at and comfortable making complex cost/benefit assessments
• Ability to inspire trust, forge relationships quickly, and earn the confidence and cooperation of business partners
• High standards, impeccable integrity and ethics, unquestionable good judgment, well-honed analytical skills

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Medical plans with $0 payroll deduction
• Family-building, fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both with options for $0 paycheck contribution
• Company-paid Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• Company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability insurance (90-day waiting period)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and vacation time (flex time for salary positions, accrued hours for hourly positions), and paid holidays
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
• Voluntary benefits including critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
• Weight loss and tobacco cessation programs
• Tesla Babies program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program