Employment and Labor - Associate Attorney

Wilson Elser
San Diego, CA
Hybrid

Who this role is best for

Aimed at mid-level employment and labor attorneys who can independently manage litigation caseloads and thrive in a collaborative, hybrid work environment in San Diego.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 2+ years of litigation experience in employment and labor law, particularly in wage and hour class actions and PAGA representative matters.
    — “2+ years of litigation experience”
  • Professionals who have experience with court appearances, depositions, and trial procedures, and can handle complex legal challenges.
    — “Experience handling court appearances, depositions, and trial experience a plus”
  • Individuals who value professional development and are motivated to grow in a long-term, supportive legal career environment.
    — “If you are a motivated professional looking for a long-term fit where you can grow in a role”

Things to consider

  • The role expects independent case management and courtroom involvement, which may demand strong time management and courtroom presence.
    — “Independently manage a litigation caseload, working cases from beginning to end”
  • Although a hybrid arrangement is offered, the position requires in-office collaboration with other attorneys and partners.
    — “Work closely with other attorneys and Partners on legal projects”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize your experience with wage and hour class actions and PAGA representative matters in your resume and interviews.
    — “Experience with wage and hour class action and PAGA representative matters”
  • Demonstrate your proficiency in federal and state employment laws through specific examples in your application materials.
    — “Strong knowledge of federal and state employment and labor laws”
  • Showcase your strong written and oral communication skills with concrete client interaction or court-related examples.
    — “Strong written and oral communication skills”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • litigation management
  • client representation
  • legal project collaboration
Typical background
litigationemployment and labor law

Skills & requirements

Required

LitigationEmployment And Labor LawCourt AppearancesDepositions

Preferred

Wage And Hour Class ActionPAGA Representative MattersDiscriminationRetaliationWrongful Termination

Stack & domain

LitigationWage And Hour Class ActionPAGA Representative MattersDiscriminationRetaliationWrongful TerminationCourt AppearancesDepositionsTrial ExperienceCommunicationCollaborationProblem-solvingAnalytical SkillsOral CommunicationEmployment LawLabor LawLegal Challenges

About the role

Original posting from Wilson Elser via Greenhouse

At Wilson Elser, we are redefining what it means to work at a national law firm. With more than 1,400 attorneys across 46 offices nationwide, we are recognized among the top 100 law firms by The American Lawyer and ranked #30 in the National Law Journal’s survey of the nation’s largest law firms.

Our continued success is built on a culture of collaboration, innovation, client service, and mutual respect. We are committed to fostering an environment where attorneys are empowered to grow their careers, contribute meaningfully, and thrive professionally.

Our firm is committed to attracting and retaining professionals who value each other and the service we provide by embracing Teamwork, Collaboration, Client Service, and Innovation. If you are a motivated professional looking for a long-term fit where you can grow in a role, and will be valued and empowered, then we invite you to apply to our Employment & Labor Associate position in our San Diego, CA Office.

This position offers a flexible, hybrid working arrangement.

The Position

Wilson Elser's San Diego office is seeking an Employment & Labor Associate to join a team of exceptional professionals in a collaborative environment to represent sophisticated clients confronted with complex legal challenges. This attorney will have the opportunity to contribute their experience and expertise to a wide range of employment and labor matters.   

Key Responsibilities:

Independently manage a litigation caseload, working cases from beginning to end

Represent clients in a wide range of employment and labor claims

Work closely with other attorneys and Partners on legal projects

Regularly handle court appearances and depositions

Communicate with clients and provide status reports

Qualifications

JD from an accredited law school

Admitted to practice in the State of California

2+ years of litigation experience

Experience with wage and hour class action and PAGA representative matters as well as discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination type claims

Strong knowledge of federal and state employment and labor laws

Experience handling court appearances, depositions, and trial experience a plus

Superior analytical skills

Strong written and oral communication skills

Wilson Elser offers a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support our attorneys both professionally and personally.

A variety of factors are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, education, licensure and/or certifications, geographic location, market demands, other business and organizational needs, and other factors permitted by law. This position is also eligible for discretionary bonuses. Final salary wages offered may be outside of this range based on other reasons and individual circumstances.  This position is considered full-time and therefore qualifies for benefits including 401(k) retirement savings plan, medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. 

Salary Range:$150,000—$200,000 USDWhy Join Wilson Elser?

Meaningful Work: Handle sophisticated matters alongside experienced attorneys and partners

Collaborative Culture: Work in a supportive team environment that values mentorship and professional development 

Advancement: Gain opportunities for long-term growth within a nationally recognized firm

Hybrid Flexibility: Enjoy a flexible hybrid work arrangement that supports work-life balance

Comprehensive Benefits: Competitive compensation, generous PTO, 401(k) match, and robust medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage

Additional Perks: Access to corporate discount programs and employee benefits

Wilson Elser welcomes submissions of candidates for our open positions exclusively from recruitment agencies with an active, signed fee agreement who have been granted access to a position through our dedicated Recruitment Agency Portal. We are unable to consider submissions from recruitment agencies without a current (dated as of 7/1/2024) agreement in place. We appreciate your understanding. For collaboration inquiries or to establish an agreement, please contact us at talentacquisition@wilsonelser.com.

Wilson Elser is committed to a collegial work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.  It is the Firm's policy that employment will be based on merit, qualifications, and competence. Further, employment decisions will be made without regard to an applicants race, color, age, sex, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, physical or mental disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking, past or present service in the uniformed services or application or obligation to serve in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Wilson Elser endeavors to make the Wilson Elser website accessible to any and all users.  You may review our Accessibility Policy here.

California Residents may review our CCPA notice for applicants and employees here.

Wilson Elser participates in the federal E-Verify program. With respect to all new hires, we provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Please review the official posters for detailed information regarding your rights and protections

Download the E-Verify Participation Poster (English & Spanish)

Download the Right to Work Poster (English & Spanish)

Source: Wilson Elser careers (Greenhouse)

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