Associate Attorney Employment Law (Hybrid)

Associate Attorney – Employment Law (Plaintiff-Side)

Hillguard | Los Angeles (Sherman Oaks), CA

About the Firm

Hillguard is a California multi-practice plaintiff’s firm with a growing employment law division representing employees in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage-and-hour, and other workplace matters under FEHA and the California Labor Code.

Our employment division is seeking an associate eager to develop into a seasoned employment litigator.

The Opportunity

Hillguard is seeking an Associate Attorney with 1+ years of civil litigation experience to join its plaintiff-side employment practice.

The associate will work directly with the head of the employment division to take supervised responsibility for cases from origination to resolution including discovery, motion practice, depositions, hearings, mediation, and case strategy, as well as communication with clients and opposing counsel.

The associate is expected to develop toward independently managing their own caseload.

The position includes support from a dedicated case manager and an experienced employment paralegal.

The Responsibilities

• Litigate plaintiff-side employment matters from pre-litigation through discovery, mediation, and resolution.
• Draft complaints, pleadings, motions, discovery, demand letters, mediation briefs, trial documents, and other substantive case materials.
• Develop and manage written and oral discovery.
• Take and defend depositions.
• Appear at hearings, mediations, client meetings, and other proceedings, with increasing independence as experience warrants.
• Communicate directly with clients, opposing counsel, mediators, and the courts.
• Evaluate claims, damages, litigation risk, and settlement value.
• Develop litigation and settlement strategy in collaboration with the head of the employment division.
• Manage an increasing portion of an independent caseload.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• A J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
• Approximately 1+ years of civil litigation experience.
• Employment Law experience is preferred.
• Meaningful experience with written discovery, motion practice, legal research, and substantive legal writing.
• Strong analytical skills and sound professional judgment.
• The ability to manage multiple matters, priorities, and deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• A genuine interest in building a long-term career representing employees.
• The initiative to take ownership of cases while remaining receptive to collaboration and mentorship.

Experience taking or defending depositions and making court appearances is preferred but not required for an otherwise strong candidate.

Spanish fluency is a significant plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $145,000–$185,000 annually, depending on experience, plus commissions and bonuses.
• 401(k) with employer matching.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• PTO.
• Dedicated case-management support and an experienced employment paralegal.
• Direct mentorship from the head of the employment division.
• A defined path toward independently managing and resolving cases.

Pay: $145,000.00 - $185,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person