Closing Date: 31st December, 2032

Description:

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP seeks a senior-level associate to join its nationally recognized Employment practice in Los Angeles or San Francisco. This associate will focus primarily on complex wage and hour class actions and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) matters, representing employers across a broad range of industries. The role also includes handling high-stakes employment litigation involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, trade secret, and other workplace-related claims. The ideal candidate will have significant experience managing sophisticated California employment litigation matters, particularly class action and representative litigation, and will play a key role in developing case strategy, managing client relationships, and driving matters through all stages of litigation. This position offers substantial responsibility, direct client interaction, and meaningful opportunities for leadership and professional growth within a collaborative and entrepreneurial practice.

Responsibilities:

Manage and support all phases of complex employment litigation in state and federal courts, with a strong emphasis on wage and hour class actions and PAGA representative actions
Develop litigation strategy, evaluate risk exposure, and advise clients on litigation and settlement strategy
Draft and argue substantive motions, including motions to compel arbitration, class certification motions, dispositive motions, and appellate briefing
Take and defend depositions, including named plaintiffs, percipient witnesses, corporate representatives, and experts
Oversee written discovery, document review, and case management in complex litigation matters
Participate in mediations, settlement negotiations, arbitrations, and court appearances
Collaborate with clients on employment counseling, compliance, and risk mitigation issues related to California employment law
Work closely with partners and litigation teams on sophisticated and high-profile matters
Mentor junior associates and contribute to team development
Support business development and client relationship initiatives

Qualifications:

JD from an accredited law school
Admission to practice in California
5+ years of employment litigation experience, including significant experience handling wage and hour class actions and PAGA matters
Strong knowledge of California employment law and class action procedure
Experience managing complex litigation matters and interacting directly with clients
Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
Strong organizational and case management abilities, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
Experience taking and defending depositions and handling court appearances independently
Prior law firm experience preferred
Commitment to exceptional client service, collaboration, and professional excellence