# Labor & Employment Associate Attorney - Mid-Level

> Coastal Wave Recruiting · San Francisco, United States (Hybrid) · Full-time · Posted 2026-09-02

**Salary:** USD 235,000–285,000

**Workplace:** hybrid

**Department:** Law Firm

## Description

**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**

## Apply

[Apply at Coastal Wave Recruiting](https://apply.workable.com/coastal-wave-recruiting/j/91059888C3/apply)

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