Employment Defense Litigation Associate

About us: At Spin , recruitment is about more than filling roles; it's about creating real human connections . We partner with leading U.S. companies to help them hire exceptional talent through a true direct-hire process, ensuring candidates join our clients' teams directly while we support them throughout the journey.

About our partner: You'll join an established boutique law firm in the Los Angeles area that has represented employers exclusively for nearly five decades — ranked among the top employment law firms in Los Angeles and California by a leading legal directory, and well regarded by both the plaintiff and defense bars.

We're looking for an employment defense litigation associate who enjoys hands-on litigation and real client relationships. You'll move cases forward, exercise sound judgment, and run day-to-day litigation while working directly with experienced partners on strategy and key decisions — with more autonomy as your experience grows.

The role goes beyond litigation: you'll advise employers on workplace issues, develop and present training, and — if you want it — build your own book of business with the firm's support.

What You'll Do

• Own cases end to end. Represent employers in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage-and-hour matters, from initial evaluation and pleadings through discovery, motions, mediation, settlement, and trial preparation.
• Strategy. Assess claims and defenses, investigate facts, and build practical litigation strategies with the supervising partner.
• Pleadings. Draft answers, affirmative defenses, demurrers, and motions to strike.
• Discovery. Draft written discovery, work directly with clients to prepare accurate responses and verifications, and coordinate document review and productions — privilege, confidentiality, redactions, and privilege logs.
• Discovery disputes. Evaluate opposing responses, draft meet-and-confer letters, confer with opposing counsel, and draft and oppose motions to compel, including separate statements and declarations. Appear at discovery conferences and hearings.
• Depositions. Prepare for, take, and defend depositions, including preparing clients and witnesses.
• Motion practice. Draft substantive motions, oppositions, and replies, including summary judgment/adjudication and motions to compel arbitration.
• Resolution and trial. Prepare mediation briefs and case assessments, join settlement discussions, and support arbitration and trial.
• Client management. Keep deadlines, communicate regularly with clients, and keep the partner informed of significant developments.
• Advisory work. Depending on experience and interest, advise on employment practices and compliance, present workplace training, and take part in networking and business development.

What You Bring

• 2–5 years of substantive employment litigation experience.
• Active California State Bar membership in good standing.
• At least two full years of litigation practice as a licensed attorney , including hands-on employment defense. Internships, summer associate roles, and pre-admission clerk work don't count toward this minimum.
• Experience handling cases through multiple stages of litigation and managing routine litigation tasks independently.
• Strong discovery and motion-writing skills, deposition experience, and command of California civil procedure and employment law.
• Clear, persuasive writing, attention to detail, reliable follow-through — and good judgment about when to bring the partner in.
• A collaborative style and professional, responsive communication with clients and colleagues.

Nice to Have

• Wage-and-hour class action or PAGA experience — a big plus, and reflected in compensation.
• Federal litigation or employment arbitration experience.
• First- or second-chair trial experience.

Salary & Benefits

• Location: Encino, California — full-time, in-office.
• Salary: $150,000 – $190,000 USD per year, depending on experience and demonstrated litigation ability.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus a 401(k) retirement plan.
• Professional development support and guidance for attorneys building their own client base.
• This is a full-time, long-term position, immediately available.

Ready to apply? We'd love to hear your story. The next step is a short application where you can share more about your background and upload your resume. Take your time — we read every response carefully.