Employment Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel is seeking an Employment Associate Attorney to join a prestigious Am Law firm in one of the following offices: Irvine (Orange County), Los Angeles, Menlo Park (Silicon Valley), New York City, San Francisco, or Santa Monica.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney with 3-5 years of employment law experience to join a highly regarded Employment Law practice. The role focuses on advising innovative technology companies, private equity firms, and other sophisticated employers on strategic workforce planning, employment counseling, and employment-related aspects of complex corporate transactions.

• Advise employers on strategic workforce planning, hiring, reductions in force, employment policies, wage and hour compliance, restrictive covenants, and founder disputes.

• Counsel C-suite executives and human resources leaders on complex employment law issues and regulatory compliance.

• Advise clients on employment-related risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and post-closing workforce integration.

• Draft and negotiate employment agreements, separation agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, and other employment-related documents.

• Provide day-to-day employment counseling to clients on workplace issues and best practices.

• Partner with corporate deal teams to provide employment law support on transactional matters.

• Develop practical, business-focused solutions tailored to clients in the technology and private equity sectors.

• Build and maintain strong client relationships while collaborating across multidisciplinary legal teams.

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.

• Active membership in the California or New York State Bar, depending on office location.

• 3-5 years of employment law experience at a major law firm.

• Current experience practicing in a Chambers-ranked Labor & Employment group is required.

• Experience counseling employers on employment law compliance and workplace strategy.

• Experience supporting corporate transactions from an employment law perspective.

• Strong drafting, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.

• Excellent academic credentials.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Sound professional judgment and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Commitment to delivering exceptional client service and practical legal solutions.

• Salary: $310,000-$390,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

• Comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

  • Mental health and wellness programs

  • Child, family, elder, and pet care benefits

  • Short- and long-term disability coverage

  • Industry-leading parental leave

  • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options

  • 401(k) retirement plan

  • Flexible Time Off (FTO) and paid holidays

  • Annual discretionary performance bonus eligibility