• Location: San Diego
  • Practice Area: LABOR & EMPLOYMENT, LITIGATION
  • Admits: CALIFORNIA
  • Salary: $175,000 - $280,000
  • Specialties: ARBITRATION, LITIGATION, WAGE & HOUR, DISCRIMINATION

Labor & Employment Associate Attorney (3+ yrs)

  • Position Locations: San Diego
  • Salary: $175,000 - $280,000
  • Schedule: No Preference
  • Admits: CALIFORNIA
  • Practice Area: LABOR & EMPLOYMENT, LITIGATION
  • Specialties: ARBITRATION, LITIGATION, WAGE & HOUR, DISCRIMINATION

Firm Description:
Our client is a national, multidisciplinary Am Law 200 firm with approximately 500 attorneys across major U.S. markets, including the Midwest, East Coast, and Southwest. The firm provides business‑focused legal counsel to a wide range of clients, from major national and multinational corporations to educational institutions, government agencies, emerging companies, and nonprofit organizations. With more than a century of history, the firm is known for delivering strategic, practical solutions across key practice areas such as corporate and business law, litigation, intellectual property, real estate, healthcare, labor and employment, and regulatory compliance. Its attorneys collaborate across offices to offer seamless, industry‑specific representation and support clients navigating complex transactional, regulatory, and litigation matters.

Position Description:
Permanent Placements is seeking a Labor & Employment Associate to join a nationally recognized Am Law 200 firm in its San Diego office. This role sits within a growing management-side employment team and offers the opportunity to handle meaningful litigation work within a collaborative, development-focused environment.

This firm is intentionally positioned as an alternative to traditional Big Law. Associates benefit from a sustainable workload model, strong partner accessibility, and a transparent path for long-term advancement. The environment is team-oriented and designed to support both professional growth and day-to-day collaboration.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

  • 1850 billable hour requirement with bonus eligibility beginning above target

  • Uncapped, tiered bonus structure tied to performance

  • Formal mentorship program, including a dedicated peer mentor during the first year

  • Quarterly feedback structure tailored to associate preferences

  • Structured internal training platform focused on core skills, including delegation, feedback, billing practices, and business development

  • Clear and attainable path from associate to senior associate and partner

Key Responsibilities

  • Handle management-side labor and employment matters

  • Draft and respond to discovery

  • Draft motions in state and federal court

  • Prepare matters for hearings, trial, and arbitration

  • Support matters before state and federal agencies, arbitrations, and courts

  • Work with matters involving fair employment laws, wage and hour laws, ADA, FMLA, and related employment laws

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of labor and employment experience

  • Strong employment litigation background

  • Ability to take responsibility for matters with minimal oversight

  • Excellent academic credentials

  • Advice and counseling experience is a plus

Work Model

  • Hybrid

  • No strict firmwide hybrid mandate

  • Preferred in-office days are Tuesday and Thursday

  • Initial onboarding period expected onsite before transitioning into a more flexible schedule

Compensation

  • $175,000 to $280,000 annually

Apply Now
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Meet Your Recruiter

Ana A. Bird

Director of Recruiting