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Employment Attorney Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Employment Attorney The Employment Attorney role offers an opportunity for a dedicated professional to advocate for clients in various employment-related legal matters. This opportunity offers ...

Employment Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$150K - $225K/yr

Employment Attorney Salary Range: $150,000-$225,000 / Year, DOE + Quarterly & Annual Bonus Opportunities Join a respected boutique employment defense firm where attorneys are trusted to run their ...

Employment Attorney

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$165K - $196K/yr

Longstanding full service firm in Newport Beach, CA is looking for a California licensed employment attorney with three to eight years of experience to join and support a thriving and growing labor ...

Employment Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $200K/yr

Stable National Law firm has a need for an Associate Attorney focused on Employment Law in San Diego. This can be done anywhere in California and you can work remotely. It is a direct hire role with ...

Employment Attorney

Riverside, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $200K/yr

National Law firm in Riverside in business for over 100 years, has a need for an Associate Attorney focused on Employment Law. This can be done anywhere in California and you can work remotely. It is ...

Employment Attorney

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $200K/yr

National Law firm in San Jose in business for over 100 years, has a need for an Associate Attorney focused on Employment Law. This can be done anywhere in California and you can work remotely. It is ...

Employment Attorney

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $200K/yr

National Law firm in San Diego in business for over 100 years, has a need for an Associate Attorney focused on Employment Law. This can be done anywhere in California and you can work remotely. It is ...

Employment Attorney

Escondido, CA · On-site +1

$150K - $225K/yr

National Law firm in business for over 100 years, has a need for an Associate Attorney focused on Employment Law. This can be done anywhere in California and you can work remotely and periodically go ...

Employment Attorney

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$150K - $225K/yr

National Law firm in business for over 100 years, has a need for an Associate Attorney focused on Employment Law. This can be done anywhere in California and you can work remotely and periodically go ...

Employment Attorney

San Diego, CA · Hybrid

$175K - $250K/yr

Handle sophisticated California employment litigation matters from inception through trial and appeal. * Join a highly collaborative team where attorneys actively mentor and support one another.

Employment Attorney

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$150K - $225K/yr

National Law firm in business for over 100 years, has a need for an Associate Attorney focused on Employment Law. This can be done anywhere in California and you can work remotely and periodically go ...

Employment Attorney

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $200K/yr

Stable National Law firm has a need for an Associate Attorney focused on Employment Law in Los Angeles. This can be done anywhere in California and you can work remotely. It is a direct hire role ...

JBA has an opening in downtown Los Angeles with a law firm specializing in employee rights, seeks an Associate Attorney for the employment department. The ideal candidate will have at least 3-4 years ...

Employment Attorney

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $200K/yr

National Law firm in Irvine in business for over 100 years, has a need for an Associate Attorney focused on Employment Law. This can be done anywhere in California and you can work remotely. It is a ...

Employment Attorney

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$200K - $350K/yr

Stable National Law firm in business for over 100 years, has a need for an Associate Attorney focused on Employment Law in Irvine. This can be done anywhere in California and you can work remotely.

Employment Attorney

Escondido, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $200K/yr

National Law firm in San Diego in business for over 100 years, has a need for an Associate Attorney focused on Employment Law. This can be done anywhere in California and you can work remotely. It is ...

Employment Attorney

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $200K/yr

Stable National Law firm has a need for an Associate Attorney focused on Employment Law in San Francisco. This can be done anywhere in California and you can work remotely. It is a direct hire role ...

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Showing results 1-20

Employment Attorney information

See California salary details

$56.3K

$136.1K

$221.6K

How much do employment attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for employment attorney in California is $136,110.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,700.00 and $168,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an employment attorney do?

An employment attorney is a lawyer that specializes in cases that involve employees, employers, and employment-related issues. In this role, you are responsible for advising your clients on the various employment regulations and alerting them to illegal activity. Your job duties include representing employers at Equal Employment Opportunities Commission hearings and advising on issues related to the National Labor Relations Board. The qualifications needed for a career as an employment attorney include a law degree, experience with employment law, and excellent communication and negotiation skills.

What does an employment attorney do?

An employment attorney specializes in legal issues related to the workplace. They represent either employers or employees in matters such as wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, wage disputes, sexual harassment, and contract negotiations. Employment attorneys provide legal advice, draft documents, negotiate settlements, and may represent clients in court or before government agencies. Their goal is to ensure workplaces comply with federal, state, and local labor laws while protecting the rights of their clients.

What types of cases or issues does an employment attorney typically handle?

Employment Attorneys regularly address a variety of workplace legal matters, such as wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, wage and hour disputes, and contract negotiations. Their daily responsibilities often involve consulting with clients, drafting legal documents, conducting legal research, and representing clients in mediation or court proceedings. Collaboration with HR professionals, other attorneys, and occasionally regulatory agencies is common, and the workload can include both proactive counseling and reactive litigation. This mix offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities to develop expertise in different facets of employment law.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an employment attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Employment Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, state bar admission, and deep knowledge of labor and employment law. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and experience drafting contracts, policies, and litigation documents are typically required. Excellent negotiation, analytical thinking, and communication skills help you advocate effectively for clients and resolve complex workplace disputes. These skills ensure clients receive sound legal advice, remain compliant, and achieve favorable outcomes in employment-related matters.

What is the difference between Employment Attorney vs Labor Lawyer?

AspectEmployment AttorneyLabor Lawyer
CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, specialization in employment lawLaw degree, bar admission, specialization in labor law
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesUnion offices, law firms, government agencies
Industry UsageHandles individual employment disputes, contracts, workplace rightsFocuses on collective bargaining, union issues, labor disputes
Common Search IntentEmployment disputes, workplace rights, employment contractsUnion negotiations, labor disputes, collective bargaining

While both Employment Attorneys and Labor Lawyers handle workplace legal issues, Employment Attorneys primarily focus on individual employment matters such as contracts and workplace rights. Labor Lawyers often deal with union-related issues, collective bargaining, and labor disputes. The roles overlap in employment law but differ in scope and focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Employment Attorney jobs in California?

The most popular types of Employment Attorney jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Employment Attorney jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Employment Attorney jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Employment Attorney jobs?

Cities in California with the most Employment Attorney job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Employment Attorney jobs in CA?

For Employment Attorney jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Employment Attorney job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $136,110 per year, or $65.4 per hour.

Employment Attorney

Boutique Recruiting

San Jose, CA • On-site

$190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Position Title: Employment Attorney
The Employment Attorney role offers an opportunity for a dedicated professional to advocate for clients in various employment-related legal matters. This opportunity offers exposure to sophisticated employment litigation matters while working alongside experienced attorneys in a collaborative environment with a clear path toward partnership. The ideal candidate will have experience representing employers in California employment matters and will enjoy balancing litigation, client counseling, compliance guidance, and strategic legal advice. This role offers the opportunity to work on wage and hour disputes, PAGA claims, class actions, discrimination matters, wrongful termination cases, and employment compliance initiatives.
Salary Range: $190,000 + / Year DOE
Employment Attorney Responsibilities:
  • Prepare for trials and manage case documentation
  • Provide legal guidance and support to clients on various employment issues
  • Develop and deliver compliance training
  • Assist in policy development and implementation
  • Handle pre-litigation disputes effectively
  • Travel to client sites as required

Employment Attorney Requirements:
  • Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California
  • 2-6+ years within employment law
  • Employment defense litigation experience required
  • Strong knowledge of California employment laws and regulations
  • Experience handling PAGA claims, wage and hour matters, FMLA, and ADA issues

Benefits:
  • Paid Time Off: 15 days of vacation and 10 days of sick leave
  • 9 paid holidays
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, fully covered
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with auto-enrollment
  • Professional development assistance for continuing education
  • On-site amenities including fitness center access and paid parking
  • Employee Assistance Program and travel assistance
  • Engagement in community and philanthropic initiatives

If you are an Employment Attorney looking to take the next step in your career, apply now! #LI-AS1

Boutique Recruiting logo

About Boutique Recruiting

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

We are a team with shared goals; mindfully placing candidates in the workforce to successfully fulfill their career ambitions while encouraging a sense of purpose and value. We have created a new kind of placement firm — one that values connection, personalization, commitment, impact, boldness and achievement. At Boutique Recruiting, our clients, candidates and employees are at the heart of our success.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

2014

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