Labor & Employment Mid-Level Associate

Mcguire•Los Angeles, CA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

McGuireWoods seeks a mid-level associate to join its Labor & Employment Department in the firm’s Los Angeles (Century City) office. This is a collaborative, high-performance group where partners work closely alongside associates on complex litigation strategy. Associates take on meaningful responsibility early, managing discovery, preparing and arguing motions, taking depositions, and advising clients directly. The team represents domestic and international employers across diverse industries, including manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, education, retail, hospitality, insurance, natural resources, and professional services. Associates develop broad skill sets, moving fluidly between class action defense, single-plaintiff litigation, administrative proceedings, and client counseling on compliance, handbooks, and employment policies.

Requirements

3–6 years of relevant California labor and employment experience at a leading law firm.
Demonstrated experience defending wage and hour class actions and PAGA actions, including handling discovery, witness interviews, and briefing class certification issues with partner or senior attorney oversight.
Experience in California defending single-plaintiff employment cases with partner or senior attorney oversight — including depositions, discovery, and dispositive motions in state and federal court (and in arbitration).
Experience representing clients in administrative hearings and proceedings, on EEOC/CRD charges, and in responses to demand letters.
Strong academic background with top-notch legal research, analysis, and writing abilities, including fluent working knowledge of California state and federal court procedural and evidence rules.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with client, business, and legal teams.
Willingness and desire to work with innovative technology platforms.
Admission to the California Bar is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience advising clients on California labor and employment compliance issues is preferred but not required.
Traditional labor law experience is a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

Assist in the defense of wage and hour class actions and PAGA representative actions, including handling discovery, conducting witness interviews, and briefing class certification issues.
Play a key role in defending single-plaintiff employment cases in state and federal court and in arbitration, including taking and defending depositions, managing discovery, and drafting dispositive motions.
Represent clients in administrative hearings and proceedings, respond to EEOC and CRD charges, and draft responses to demand letters.
Collaborate with partners and senior attorneys on case strategy while taking increasing ownership of matters as part of professional growth.