Job Description
Job Description
Direct Counsel is seeking a Senior Arbitration Associate to join a growing plaintiff-side employment law practice focused on high-volume wage and hour arbitrations. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced employment litigator who enjoys substantive advocacy, strategic case management, and working on cutting-edge mass arbitration matters.
The ideal candidate will have significant experience handling wage and hour disputes, PAGA claims, and arbitration proceedings, and will play a key role in helping manage and grow a sophisticated arbitration practice.
ResponsibilitiesArbitration & Case Management
- Manage a substantial caseload of mass and batch arbitration matters involving wage and hour claims
- Develop and implement case strategy for individual and coordinated arbitration proceedings
- Handle matters from intake through resolution, including settlement and hearing preparation
- Monitor deadlines and ensure timely progression of all assigned matters
Litigation & Advocacy
- Draft and review arbitration demands, motions, briefs, and related filings
- Prepare and respond to written discovery
- Conduct legal research and analyze complex employment law issues
- Represent clients at arbitration hearings, mediations, and settlement conferences
- Advocate on behalf of employees in wage and hour and related employment disputes
Team Collaboration & Process Development
- Collaborate with department leadership on workflows, templates, and best practices
- Assist in developing scalable systems for managing high-volume arbitration dockets
- Ensure compliance with AAA, JAMS, and other arbitration provider rules and procedures
- Provide regular status updates regarding case strategy, developments, and outcomes
- Contribute to the continued growth and success of the arbitration department
Qualifications
- J.D. from an accredited law school
- Active California Bar membership in good standing
- 4+ years of employment law experience
- Significant experience handling:
- Wage and hour litigation
- PAGA claims
- Arbitration matters
- Hands-on experience managing high-volume or mass arbitration dockets
- Working knowledge of AAA and JAMS arbitration procedures, including mass arbitration protocols
- Strong legal writing, research, analytical, and advocacy skills
- Ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Detail-oriented with strong strategic thinking abilities
Compensation & Benefits
- Compensation Range: $150,000 – $200,000
- Compensation commensurate with experience
- Competitive benefits package
- Professional development and advancement opportunities
- Collaborative and entrepreneurial work environment
Why This Opportunity
- Handle sophisticated wage and hour arbitration matters at scale
- Gain substantial responsibility and autonomy over a significant caseload
- Work closely with experienced leadership in building and expanding a growing arbitration practice
- Appear in arbitrations, mediations, and settlement proceedings on behalf of employees
- Join a dynamic and fast-growing employment law team with strong long-term growth potential
Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier legal employers and fostering inclusive hiring practices.