Senior Arbitration Associate Attorney

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.