Mid-level to Sr. Associate - Employment Litigation Attorney

What we're looking for:

We need a mid-level associate with 3-8 years of employer-side California employment litigation experience who can own matters from inception through resolution. You should be comfortable handling both single-plaintiff and class action defense — including FEHA, PAGA, and wage-and-hour matters — and have a track record of managing litigation independently with sound judgment. Bonus points if you've come from a BigLaw or national employer-side boutique background and are looking for better work-life balance without sacrificing compensation.

What you'll do:

• Manage California employment litigation matters from start to finish, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage-and-hour, PAGA, and class action defense


• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and discovery — taking full ownership of case strategy and execution


• Take and defend depositions, and represent clients at hearings, mediations, and arbitrations


• Handle matters before state and federal agencies including DLSE and NLRB


• Provide compliance counseling, risk avoidance guidance, and day-to-day employer advisory support to clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 corporations


• Collaborate with partners and fellow associates in a collegial, mentorship-driven environment across CDF's five California offices


• Optionally contribute to business development through blogs, webinars, and client presentations — no BD pressure, but the opportunity is there for those who want it

Key requirements:

• 3-8 years of California employment litigation experience (employer-side only — plaintiff-side is a hard no)


• Active California Bar membership in good standing


• Experience with single-plaintiff and/or class action defense (either or both)


• Stable tenure history — no job hopping or unexplained short stints


• Sound judgment, initiative, collaborative approach, and strong client service orientation

Compensation & benefits:

• Base salary: $170,000 - $250,000 (recently readjusted firm-wide to compete with BigLaw)


• Billable target: 1,800 hours (flexible between 1,600-1,900 — significantly lower than BigLaw's 2,100+)


• Bonus structure: Performance bonus + year-end discretionary bonus (always paid out) + uncapped overage pay at $100-$125/hour for every hour above target


• Signing bonus: Available to bridge lost year-end bonuses from current employer


• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, FSA, firm-paid EAP, telemedicine, life insurance, STD/LTD, 401(k) (pre-tax and Roth), paid holidays, PTO, and paid parental leave