Mid-to-Senior Level Labor & Employment Associate

Stoel Rives LLP is seeking a labor & employment associate with five to seven years of experience to join its Labor & Employment Practice Group in the Seattle office. The associate will work on a wide variety of cases and other matters for regional and national companies.Our Labor & Employment TeamThe Stoel Rives Labor & Employment team consists of more than two dozen employment advisors, litigators, and labor relations attorneys who provide counseling and dispute resolution services across the full spectrum of labor and employment law. We work with employers throughout the nation to ensure compliance and avoid disputes by providing practical counseling and training. When litigation or other disputes arise, we provide the full range of resolution options and solutions.ResponsibilitiesConduct legal research and prepare memoranda; draft pleadings, dispositive and discovery motions; manage written discovery; and take and defend depositions.Counsel employers on day-to-day issues including hiring, discipline/terminations, accommodations, leaves, wage-and-hour compliance, classifications, pay equity, and remote work.Draft and review employment-related documents, including handbooks, policies, offer letters, separation agreements, restrictive covenants, and confidentiality and employment agreements.Assist with workplace investigations, including planning, interviews, and reporting.Delegate work to junior associates and paralegals and supervise that work.Support corporate transactions with employment due diligence.Contribute to client trainings on topics including anti-harassment, wage-and-hour, accommodations, and other topics.QualificationsJD from an accredited law school and strong academic credentials.5-7 years of labor and employment experience at an AmLaw or reputable boutique firm.Experience with employment litigation from intake through resolution, including motion practice, discovery, depositions, and mediation; trial/arbitration experience a plus.Counseling experience on federal, state, and local employment laws, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, NLRA, and related state wage-and-hour and leave laws.Outstanding legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills with meticulous attention to detail.Ability to manage multiple matters, supervise junior associates and paralegals, meet deadlines, and collaborate across teams in a fast-paced environment.Strong client-service orientation, sound judgment, and professional communication skills.Evident engagement in business development and civic and professional organizations.Admission to and good standing with the Washington State bar or eligibility to waive into the bar.Hours Expectations & CompensationThe hours expectation for this position is 1,800 billable hours and an "all-in" hours expectation of 2,050 or 2,150, depending on seniority. The billable hours expectation includes up to 50 pro bono hours. All-in hours include the billable hours expectation as well as any additional billable hours, additional pro bono hours, and investment hours. Investment activities include business development, professional development, mentoring and coaching, recruiting, contributing to the firm's workplace culture, and civic and community activities.To be eligible for a bonus, associates must reach or exceed 1,850 billable hours (inclusive of up to 50 pro bono hours) and meet or exceed the all-in hours expectation.The base compensation for this position is $280,000 - $310,000, inclusive of salaries in all listed markets. Base compensation presented to an individual candidate may vary based on skills and overall experience.Developing & Retaining TalentStoel Rives places a high priority on attracting, developing, and retaining lawyers and business professionals.We offer a variety of training programs and retreats addressing practice area topics and skills at all levels, as well as legal and professional skills generally. We have a coaching and mentoring program, and our new lawyer integration program provides new lawyers with the resources and information necessary to succeed after they join the firm. Finally, we have a core competency model which is a roadmap of the practical skills, abilities, and client service techniques needed for long-term success at the firm.We value lawyers and business professionals who bring to the firm different backgrounds and experiences. Our people bring a variety of educational backgrounds, unique career experiences, bodies of knowledge, technical abilities, and community involvement. This variety makes us better at advising and serving our clients and it ensures a positive and supportive workplace for everyone.We are proud participants in the ABA Well-Being Pledge, strongly believing that the well-being of our people is paramount to the success of the firm.To learn more about the benefits of working as an attorney at Stoel Rives, click here.

Created: 2026-04-02