Labor & Employment Associate
Ready for real substantive work in California L&E? This elite LA/OC boutique offers true trial exposure, mentorship, and an 1800-hour target. 3-7 years defense exp
Location : Los Angeles, CA / Irvine, CA (Hybrid)
Salary : $150K - $215K Base + Bonus
About the Firm
A well-established California labor & employment defense boutique is seeking a Labor & Employment Associate with 3-7 years of experience to join its growing team in either Los Angeles or Orange County.
This is an opportunity to work alongside highly regarded employment litigators on sophisticated single-plaintiff, PAGA, and class action matters while gaining real hands-on litigation, arbitration, and trial experience early in your career. A rare concept in legal recruiting: associates actually doing substantive work instead of becoming expensive PDF-moving equipment.
The firm offers the sophistication of larger national practices with the collaboration, mentorship, and work-life balance of a boutique environment.
Why Join?
Real trial and arbitration exposure
1800 billable hour target
Clear long-term partnership track
Collaborative and mentorship-driven culture
Dedicated assistant support
Exposure to high-profile California employment matters
Strong discretionary bonuses
Hybrid flexibility depending on office/team
What You’ll Be Doing
Manage employment defense matters from inception through resolution
Handle discovery, depositions, motion practice, and case strategy
Work on wage & hour, PAGA, and class action litigation
Support arbitrations, mediations, and trials
Advise California employers on employment law matters
Collaborate directly with partners and clients on active litigation
Requirements
3-7 years of California employment litigation experience
Must have exclusively defense-side employment law experience
Active California Bar membership required
Strong experience with discovery, motions, and depositions
PAGA and class action experience highly preferred
Excellent legal writing and communication skills
Team-oriented mindset with interest in long-term growth
Preferred Background
Employment defense boutique or labor & employment firm experience
Judicial clerkship experience is a plus
Stable work history with demonstrated commitment to employment law
Candidates seeking long-term growth and partnership potential
About Sperton
Sperton Global is a recruitment and consulting company with an international reach. We are committed to helping our clients achieve success in their hiring processes, finding the right people for the right positions.
- Locations
- United States
- Remote status
- Hybrid
- Employment type
- Full-time
- Job location
- Los Angeles, CA / Irvine, CA (
Workplace & Culture at Sperton
At Sperton, we believe that great results come from great people.
Our culture is built on trust, collaboration, and a shared passion for delivering quality in everything we do.
We are a Norwegian-owned international company with colleagues across Europe, Asia, and the USA, working together seamlessly across time zones and cultures. Our teams are diverse, yet united by the same goal — to connect people and companies in meaningful ways.
We value openness, initiative, and continuous learning. Everyone at Sperton is encouraged to take ownership, share ideas, and challenge existing ways of working to make our solutions even better.
Even though we operate globally, our approach is personal. We take pride in creating a supportive and inclusive environment where people feel heard, respected, and motivated to grow — both professionally and personally.
