Employment Attorney

Global Placement Firm•Austin, TX

2d•$180,000 - $225,000•Hybrid

About The Position

A growing, highly regarded Texas boutique law firm is seeking an experienced Senior Employment Attorney to advise startups, venture-backed companies, private equity-backed businesses, and corporate clients on sophisticated employment matters. The attorney will provide strategic guidance on employment law, workforce compliance, employment agreements, restrictive covenants, and M&A transactions, working directly with an equity partner while independently managing client relationships and complex matters. The role combines employment counseling, transactional support, client relationship management, and contributions to the continued growth of the firm's employment practice. The firm emphasizes professional autonomy, collaboration, high-quality client service, and work-life balance. The position is based in Austin, Texas, with Dallas candidates also considered. It is full-time and primarily on-site, with an initial requirement of four in-office days per week and approximately three in-office days per week after ramp-up, subject to firm arrangements. Base salary is $180,000–$225,000 annually, with a competitive equity opportunity. One position is open. Visa sponsorship is unavailable; candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Requirements

Minimum 7 years of substantive employment law experience.
Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
Active Texas Bar membership in good standing.
Prior employment law experience practicing at a law firm; exclusively in-house or corporate legal experience does not satisfy this requirement.
Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including multi-state workforce compliance.
Demonstrated experience advising on employment matters related to mergers and acquisitions.
Experience with employment due diligence, employee transitions, restrictive covenants, and employment-related transactional risks.
Strong experience drafting and negotiating employment agreements, severance agreements, and restrictive covenants.
Ability to independently manage legal matters and maintain direct client relationships.
Excellent legal research, drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
Strong business judgment and ability to provide commercially practical legal advice.
Excellent communication, organization, and client-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple complex matters with minimal partner oversight.
Must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience advising venture-backed startups, emerging growth companies, private equity-backed businesses, or technology companies.
Experience supporting corporate M&A transactions and related employment diligence.
Background at a respected boutique, regional, or national law firm.
Experience advising on executive compensation and equity-related employment matters.
Experience managing EEOC, DOL, and state agency employment matters.
Experience conducting workplace investigations.
Experience enforcing or defending restrictive covenant matters.
Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining independent client relationships.
Experience mentoring junior attorneys.
Existing professional relationships or business development experience within the Texas legal market.
Familiarity with the legal and operational challenges faced by growing companies.
Austin-based location preferred; qualified candidates located in Dallas will also be considered.

Responsibilities

Serve as primary or supporting counsel on complex employment law matters.
Advise startups, venture-backed companies, private equity-backed businesses, executives, and corporate clients on employment-related legal issues.
Provide guidance on hiring practices, employee separations, workforce policies, employment compliance, employee classification, wage and hour considerations, and federal, Texas, and multi-state employment laws.
Develop proactive legal strategies to help clients manage employment-related risks.
Draft, review, negotiate, and revise employment agreements, executive employment contracts, severance and separation agreements, confidentiality provisions, restrictive covenants, and employment-related equity compensation documentation.
Advise clients on non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality obligations, including enforceability across jurisdictions; handle related enforcement matters and disputes.
Conduct employment law due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, financings, and other corporate transactions.
Review employment agreements, compensation arrangements, employee classifications, and benefits obligations in transactions; identify employment-related liabilities and compliance risks.
Advise on workforce transitions, employee retention, post-acquisition integration, and employment risks associated with acquisitions and restructurings.
Collaborate with corporate and transactional attorneys on employment aspects of M&A transactions.
Conduct or oversee internal workplace investigations involving employee complaints and workplace conduct.
Advise on employment disputes and risk mitigation; manage responses to EEOC, DOL, and state agency charges and inquiries; coordinate with litigation counsel when necessary.
Independently manage a portfolio of employment law clients and serve as a trusted advisor to business owners, executives, founders, and corporate leadership teams.
Develop long-term client relationships through responsive, commercially practical legal advice.
Collaborate with partners and attorneys across practice groups and mentor junior attorneys.
Identify cross-practice collaboration and additional client-service opportunities; contribute to business development, client origination, and growth of the firm's employment practice.