Labor and Employment Associate Attorney

Recruiter

New York City, NY

Labor and Employment Associate Attorney

Attorney

2-10 yrs required

No

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 (.) 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.