Labor & Employment Associate Senior (5+ Years), Seattle

Labor & Employment Associate Senior (5+ Years), Seattle

Practice Area: Labor & Employment
Level: Senior Associate (Lateral)
Location: Seattle, WA
Compensation (Seattle): $275,000 - $315,000, based on experience; lower-hours track available with proportional salary adjustment.

Overview

A national full-service law firm is seeking a Senior Labor & Employment Associate with 5+ years of experience to join its Seattle office. This is a highly client-facing role supporting a fast-moving, collaborative L&E practice with strong ties to teams in California. Prior California employment experience is a significant plus.

The role offers meaningful responsibility, immediate client contact, and exposure to a broad range of employment counseling and litigation matters across multiple jurisdictions. The environment is non-hierarchical, team-driven, and ideal for someone who enjoys being a trusted first point of contact for long-standing clients.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide sophisticated, practical employment counseling on a wide range of issues nationwide.

• Manage single-plaintiff matters and play a key role in complex litigation, including class actions.

• Collaborate with partners on case strategy, risk assessment, and client communication.

• Handle brief writing, pleadings, motions, and legal research.

• Conduct witness interviews and prepare factual summaries.

• Draft and respond to discovery; manage litigation workflow and deadlines.

• Take and defend depositions.

• Participate in trial work as required.

• Coordinate multi-jurisdictional issues, including termination guidance, non-competes, wage/hour matters, and M&A-related employment needs.

• Maintain proactive workload ownership and consistent client responsiveness.

• Participate in special projects and team initiatives.

Candidate Requirements

• Licensed in Washington (including federal courts) and California (state courts at minimum).

• 5+ years of labor & employment experience (counseling + litigation).

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; high responsiveness.

• Demonstrated commitment to client service and ability to build long-term relationships.

• Collaborative mindset; ability to work closely with partners and peers.

• Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.

• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint; Excel a plus).

• Interest in professional development, diversity initiatives, and continuous improvement.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary (Seattle): $275,000 - $315,000 depending on experience.

• Option to elect a reduced-hour track with proportional salary adjustment.

• Eligibility for associate bonuses (subject to firm policy).

• Extensive benefits package including:

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision

  • Infertility, gender-affirming, and behavioral health coverage

  • 401(k) participation

  • Life and disability insurance

  • Flexible time off + paid holidays

  • Up to 15 weeks fully paid parental leave

  • Additional paid medical leave for birth parents

  • Dependent care, healthcare, and transportation FSAs

  • Backup child/elder care

  • Education support, tutoring, wellbeing programs

  • Transit programs (office-dependent)

  • Relocation/clerkship/bar review support for eligible hires