Jobs in California 2026 (Now Hiring) - Smart Auto Apply

Locations: San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Rafael, Walnut Creek, Sacramento, San Diego, Fresno, or Costa Mesa, CA

Work Arrangement: Hybrid / Flexible

A highly regarded California law firm is seeking a Mid-Level Labor & Employment Associate Attorney to join its established L&E practice.

This associate will work with several Labor & Employment partners, providing broad exposure to employment counseling, litigation, and traditional labor law matters. The team also works closely with the firm's Government practice when public-sector clients have labor and employment needs.

Responsibilities may include employment advice & counsel, workplace investigations and compliance matters, employment litigation, collective bargaining, union-related matters, grievances, labor arbitrations, depositions, hearings, mediations, and trial preparation.

This opportunity is particularly attractive for an attorney who wants a diverse practice and exposure to multiple partners, clients, and industries.

Requirements

• Several years of substantive California Labor & Employment experience
• Traditional labor law experience strongly preferred
• Knowledge of California and federal employment laws
• Experience providing employment advice & counsel
• Meaningful employment litigation experience
• Experience with collective bargaining, unions, grievances, or labor-management relations is highly valued
• Ability to independently manage significant portions of matters
• Strong research, writing, advocacy, and client-service skills
• California Bar admission in good standing
• Public entity, government agency, or unionized employer experience is a plus
• 1,800 credited-hour requirement, with only 1,700 client-billable hours

Candidates should have an established L&E foundation and be prepared to take on meaningful responsibility as a true mid-level associate.

Benefits

• Credit for up to 150 pro bono hours + 50 impact/community hours
• Productivity bonuses beginning at approximately 1,850 hours
• Bonus opportunities generally ranging from approximately 10%–20% of base compensation, depending on productivity
• Additional discretionary bonus opportunities
• Flexible hybrid environment with no firmwide mandatory office-day requirement
• Eight California office options, including Costa Mesa/Orange County
• Potential $15,000–$30,000 sign-on or make-whole bonus for qualified laterals
• Defined Senior Associate, Counsel, and Partnership career paths
• Professional and business-development support
• Opportunity to work with multiple L&E partners and the firm's Government practice
• Broad exposure to both traditional labor and employment matters