Labor & Employment Associate Attorney (Litigation, Counseling & Transactional)

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Counsel is seeking a Labor & Employment Associate with 2–5 years of experience to join a nationally recognized Labor & Employment practice in Atlanta. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney looking to work on a sophisticated mix of employment litigation, counseling, executive compensation, restrictive covenant matters, and employment-related transactional work for public and private companies, senior executives, and management teams.

The ideal candidate will have experience in employment law and enjoy working across litigation, advisory, and transactional matters in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise employers and executives on employment law issues and workplace matters
• Handle employment-related litigation matters from inception through resolution
• Draft and negotiate employment agreements, executive compensation arrangements, separation agreements, and restrictive covenant agreements
• Conduct employment-related due diligence in connection with corporate transactions
• Assist with executive compensation and employment issues arising in mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions
• Conduct legal research and prepare motions, briefs, memoranda, and other substantive filings
• Manage written discovery, deposition preparation, and discovery disputes
• Collaborate with attorneys across offices on sophisticated employment and transactional matters

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of Labor & Employment experience
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Employment litigation
  • Non-compete and restrictive covenant matters
  • Employment agreement drafting and negotiation
  • Employment-related due diligence
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Experience handling discovery, motion practice, and litigation strategy
• Outstanding oral and written communication abilities
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Ability to manage a fast-paced workload while maintaining attention to detail
• AmLaw 100 experience strongly preferred
• Strong academic credentials from an accredited law school
• Law review or comparable research and writing experience is a plus
• Active Georgia Bar admission or eligibility to waive into Georgia required

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation determined based on experience, qualifications, and market factors
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Hybrid work environment
• Meaningful responsibility and direct client interaction
• Robust professional development and mentorship programs
• Opportunity to work with national and industry-leading clients
• Clear path to partnership and long-term career advancement

Why This Opportunity

• Join a nationally ranked Labor & Employment practice
• Work on a unique blend of litigation, counseling, executive compensation, and transactional matters
• Gain exposure to sophisticated public and private company clients
• Receive strong mentorship and professional development support
• Build a long-term career within a collaborative and growing national platform

Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier law firms and fostering inclusive hiring practices.