Senior Employment Law Settlement & Arbitration Attorney

Job Overview:
A law firm seeks an accomplished and strategic attorney to lead settlement negotiations and arbitration proceedings within its California employment law practice. This position is ideal for an experienced legal professional who excels in resolving complex labor disputes involving wage and hour claims, discrimination allegations, wrongful termination, and representative actions under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).

The role requires deep familiarity with California labor and employment regulations, including expertise in handling class action litigation and disputes governed by the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). This opportunity offers a hybrid work arrangement based in Los Angeles, California, allowing for remote flexibility with periodic in-person client meetings, mediations, and legal proceedings.

Duties:

• Manage and guide the resolution process for employment-related cases, ranging from individual wage claims to large-scale class actions and PAGA matters.
• Represent clients during arbitration hearings, developing persuasive legal arguments and presenting evidence in alignment with case strategy.
• Lead comprehensive settlement negotiations, aiming to achieve favorable outcomes for clients at all case stages, from pre-arbitration discussions to mid-proceeding resolutions.
• Review and draft arbitration agreements, ensuring they comply with California-specific legal standards while identifying potential enforceability risks.
• Provide in-depth client counseling on arbitration options, settlement strategies, and case risks.
• Conduct sophisticated legal analysis and research to support case evaluation and development.
• Draft and edit key legal documents, including settlement agreements, arbitration pleadings, motions, and mediation briefs.
• Represent clients during mediations, settlement conferences, and arbitration proceedings.
• Collaborate closely with legal teams, co-counsel, and expert witnesses on complex, high-value employment cases.
• Monitor evolving employment law developments, particularly changes related to class action procedures, PAGA enforcement, and arbitration law in California.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 7 years of direct experience handling California employment law cases.
• Extensive background managing class action litigation and PAGA matters from inception through final resolution.
• Proven success negotiating settlements in intricate employment disputes.
• Strong knowledge of wage and hour statutes, FEHA provisions, and California-specific employment regulations.
• Experience handling Lodestar calculations, attorney fee petitions, and settlement valuation in employment matters.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex cases simultaneously with exceptional organization and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to simplify complex legal concepts for clients.
• Collaborative mindset, with comfort working directly with clients, opposing counsel, arbitrators, and legal support teams.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

Certifications:

• Active membership with the California State Bar, in good standing.

Skills:

• Advanced legal writing and analytical capabilities.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution abilities.
• Proficiency with legal research platforms and case management tools.
• Creative problem-solving and strategy development.
• Bilingual in Spanish (preferred but not required).
• Excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills.

Benefits:

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer matching.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Dental insurance.
• Life insurance benefits.
• Generous paid time off (PTO).

Work Location:

• Los Angeles, CA (Hybrid) – primarily remote, with in-person attendance required for client meetings, mediations, and case proceedings as necessary.