Labor and Employment Associate Attorney

A law firm located in New York City is actively seeking a Labor and Employment Associate Attorney with 3 to 5 years of post-law school experience to join its team. This role focuses on advising employers and business leadership on a broad spectrum of workplace-related legal matters while also offering the chance to gain hands-on exposure to matters involving unions and labor arbitrations.

This opportunity is ideal for an attorney who is looking to work with a collaborative, management-side practice while expanding their expertise into traditional labor issues, including labor negotiations and union grievance resolution.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provides day-to-day legal guidance to company owners, human resources professionals, and senior managers on all aspects of employee relations and workplace policies.
• Drafts and revises employment-related documents, including policies, offer letters, separation agreements, and employee handbooks, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Represents employers in a variety of settings, including administrative hearings, labor arbitrations, and other dispute resolution processes.
• Advises clients on disciplinary actions, terminations, wage compliance, discrimination claims, and leave entitlements, offering practical, business-friendly legal advice.
• Assists with labor union-related matters, including participation in grievance hearings, union contract interpretation, and collective bargaining support.
• Conducts legal research and drafts memoranda and briefs addressing evolving labor and employment law developments.
• Prepares responses to government agency inquiries, including investigations by the EEOC, NLRB, and state labor departments.
• Monitors legal changes and advises clients on emerging regulatory trends to help minimize legal risks before disputes arise.
• Partners closely with senior attorneys to develop creative strategies tailored to each client’s industry, culture, and risk profile.
• Conducts workplace training sessions to educate managers and HR teams on legal responsibilities, compliance obligations, and effective risk management.

Education & Certifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active New York Bar admission and good standing with the bar.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 3 years practicing law, with concentrated experience in employment law, labor relations, or general litigation with employment focus.
• Prior exposure to or strong interest in learning labor union law, including grievance handling, contract interpretation, and arbitration proceedings.
• Demonstrated experience advising management-side clients preferred.
• Experience managing multiple client matters in fast-paced environments, with the ability to prioritize effectively and maintain strong client communication.

Key Competencies & Desired Skills

• Exceptional legal writing and research capabilities, with experience preparing persuasive legal arguments and client-ready documents.
• Strong analytical thinking, with the ability to assess legal risks and recommend practical solutions that align with business goals.
• Effective verbal communication skills, with confidence advising corporate leadership and presenting at training sessions.
• Interest in or prior exposure to collective bargaining, union negotiations, and labor disputes is a distinct advantage.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to juggle multiple projects without compromising on quality.
• A team player who thrives in a collaborative environment while demonstrating initiative and self-direction when managing independent workstreams.

Compensation & Benefits

• Enrollment in a 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
• Employer contributions toward health and dental insurance premiums.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance is provided.
• Competitive base salary, commensurate with experience, expertise, and demonstrated skills.

This firm's New York City office represents clients in business and litigation matters including corporate and securities, real estate, litigation, broker dealer regulation, labor and employment, employee benefits, executive compensation, intellectual property, tax, estate planning, corporate restructuring, and bankruptcy.