Employment Law Associate Attorney - 5-7 Years Experience

About Alder Law

Alder Law is a growing California plaintiff-side litigation firm known for high-impact advocacy, strong litigation and trial preparation, and a culture that values professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and results.

Our Employment Law practice is expanding, and we are seeking an experienced Employment Law Associate Attorney with 5-7 years of recent California employment litigation experience to join our team. This role is intended for an attorney who can independently manage significant portions of an active caseload while continuing to grow as a sophisticated plaintiff-side litigator.

Position Summary

We are seeking a California-licensed attorney with 5-7 years of recent, substantive California state and federal employment law litigation experience as a licensed and practicing attorney.

The successful candidate should be comfortable taking meaningful ownership of cases, including case strategy, pleadings, discovery, depositions, law and motion, court appearances, mediations, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation. The Associate will work closely with senior attorneys, paralegals, and legal support staff while independently driving assigned matters forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage an active caseload of plaintiff-side employment matters from intake through resolution under appropriate senior attorney oversight
• Develop case strategy, litigation plans, and case valuation throughout the life of each matter
• Draft and respond to complaints, pleadings, motions, and other litigation documents
• Manage written discovery, meet-and-confer efforts, discovery disputes, and motions to compel
• Take and defend depositions of parties, witnesses, PMQ/PMK witnesses, and experts as appropriate
• Research, draft, and argue substantive motions, including oppositions to motions for summary judgment and summary adjudication
• Appear in California state and federal courts for hearings, conferences, and other proceedings
• Prepare matters for mediation and participate in settlement negotiations
• Communicate directly with clients and provide strategic guidance throughout litigation
• Evaluate liability, damages, evidence, witness credibility, and settlement considerations
• Prepare cases for trial and meaningfully participate in trial strategy and execution
• Collaborate effectively with paralegals, legal assistants, and other attorneys to ensure cases progress efficiently and deadlines are met

Employment Law Experience

Candidates should have substantive recent experience handling California employment claims involving several of the following areas:

• Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under FEHA
• Wrongful termination
• Disability discrimination, reasonable accommodation, and interactive process claims
• Wage and hour violations
• California Labor Code claims
• FLSA claims
• PAGA matters
• Class and representative actions

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active membership and good standing with the State Bar of California
• 5-7 years of recent California employment law litigation experience as a licensed and practicing attorney
• Substantive experience litigating employment matters in California state and federal courts
• Demonstrated experience with written discovery, depositions, and law and motion practice
• Strong knowledge of FEHA, California wage and hour law, and applicable California Labor Code provisions
• Strong legal research, analytical, writing, and oral advocacy skills
• Ability to independently manage deadlines, competing priorities, and significant case responsibilities
• Professional judgment, accountability, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced litigation environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant plaintiff-side employment litigation experience
• PAGA, wage and hour, and/or employment class action experience
• Experience opposing dispositive motions
• Mediation and settlement negotiation experience
• Meaningful trial preparation and/or trial experience
• Experience supervising junior attorneys, paralegals, or support staff

Who Will Be Successful Here

We are looking for a smart, driven, accountable attorney who already understands how to litigate employment cases and is ready for meaningful case ownership. The right candidate will be comfortable making strategic recommendations, communicating with clients, moving cases forward without excessive supervision, and working collaboratively with a growing Employment Law team.

This is a strong opportunity for an experienced associate who wants sophisticated plaintiff-side employment work, increasing responsibility, and a path toward senior-level litigation and leadership opportunities as the department continues to grow.

Compensation

Base Salary: $190,000-$250,000 annually, commensurate with experience, demonstrated employment litigation capabilities, trial experience, and other job-related qualifications.

Additional incentive-based compensation may be available based on individual and firm performance.

What Alder Law Offers

• Opportunity to work on meaningful and complex plaintiff-side employment matters
• Hands-on litigation experience and increasing case ownership
• Exposure to significant motion practice, mediations, and trial preparation
• Experienced attorneys and litigation support
• Professional, collaborative, and results-oriented work environment
• Meaningful opportunity for advancement as the Employment Law Department continues to expand

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a resume and writing sample. Please clearly identify your California employment litigation experience, including the types of matters you have handled and your experience with depositions, dispositive motions, mediations, and trials.

Alder Law is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Pay: $190,000.00 - $250,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have 5-7 years of recent California employment law litigation experience as a licensed and practicing attorney?
• Do you have strong knowledge of FEHA, California wage and hour law, and applicable California Labor Code provisions?
• Do you have knowledge of PAGA, wage and hour, and/or employment class action experience?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $190,000 - $250,000