Labor & Employment Associate – Hospitality

New York, NY | 2–5 Years Experience

Direct Counsel represents a leading national law firm seeking a talented Labor & Employment Associate to join its renowned practice in New York, with a focus on advising clients in the hospitality, restaurant, hotel, and entertainment industries.

This is an exciting opportunity for an employment attorney who enjoys both sophisticated litigation and hands-on counseling, working directly with some of New York’s most recognized hospitality and entertainment businesses.

The Role

• Provide day-to-day employment counseling on wage & hour, discrimination, and general employment matters.
• Represent hospitality clients in employment litigation and disputes.
• Handle discrimination and wage & hour claims, including class action litigation.
• Advise clients on New York State and New York City employment laws.
• Counsel employers on workplace policies, compliance, and risk management.
• Work with clients in the restaurant, hotel, entertainment, and nightlife industries.
• Advise on labor relations and hospitality-specific employment issues.
• Apply the New York State Hospitality Wage Order and related regulations.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of labor and employment experience.
• Experience serving as first-chair in discrimination and/or wage & hour litigation.
• Class action wage & hour litigation experience required.
• Experience advising clients on New York State and New York City employment matters.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Hospitality labor relations experience preferred.
• Familiarity with the New York State Hospitality Wage Order strongly preferred.
• J.D. and active New York Bar admission required.

Compensation & Benefits

• $215,000–$250,000 annual salary, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Opportunity to work with prominent hospitality and entertainment clients.
• Significant client interaction and hands-on employment counseling.
• Sophisticated litigation and class action experience.
• Collaborative environment with strong professional growth opportunities.

Location: New York, NY

If you're an employment attorney looking to combine sophisticated litigation with meaningful client counseling in the dynamic hospitality industry, this is an excellent opportunity to build your practice with a leading national law firm.