Job Title: Senior Employment Litigation Attorney – PAGA Defense
Location: San Jose CA
Full time role
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced Employment Litigation Attorney with 8+ years of employment law experience and deep expertise defending employers in Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) matters. The ideal candidate is a seasoned litigator with a strong defense-side background representing employers in complex employment litigation and class/PAGA actions.
This role is best suited for attorneys who have built their practice representing employers—not plaintiffs—and who have a proven record of successfully handling high-exposure employment disputes.
Key Responsibilities
- Defend employers in complex employment litigation, with a primary focus on PAGA representative actions.
- Manage all stages of litigation, including case assessment, pleadings, discovery, depositions, motion practice, mediation, settlement negotiations, and trial.
- Develop litigation strategy for high-value employment disputes.
- Advise clients on California employment law compliance and risk mitigation.
- Represent clients in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies.
- Draft and argue dispositive motions and appellate briefs when necessary.
- Collaborate with clients to proactively address wage and hour, workplace policies, and compliance issues.
- Mentor junior attorneys and contribute to the firm's employment litigation practice.
Required Qualifications
- J.D. from an accredited law school.
- Active membership in the applicable state bar.
- 8+ years of employment litigation experience.
- Significant experience defending employers in PAGA and wage-and-hour litigation.
- Strong defense-side litigation background with substantial courtroom experience.
- Experience handling complex employment matters from inception through trial or resolution.
- Excellent legal research, writing, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
- Ability to independently manage a sophisticated litigation caseload.
Preferred Qualifications
- Extensive experience defending employers in California employment litigation.
- Experience with class actions and representative actions under PAGA.
- Strong client counseling and business development skills.
- Experience mentoring associates and leading litigation teams.
Pay: $235,000.00 - $300,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
