Job Description

Job Title: Employment Law Associate (5–8 Years Experience)

Location: Seattle, WA (Hybrid)

Firm Type: Established Employment Law Boutique

The Opportunity

A premier, highly respected Pacific Northwest employment law boutique is seeking a skilled Employment Law Associate with 5 to 8 years of practice to join its expanding Seattle office. This position offers an exceptional career trajectory for a talented practitioner seeking to transition away from the grueling billable hour demands of BigLaw, without sacrificing the sophistication, quality, or high-profile caliber of their caseload. With a highly manageable billable requirement and a flexible hybrid work schedule, you will have the autonomy and structural support to thrive both professionally and personally.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Advocacy & Advisory: Advise and represent a diverse client portfolio across a broad spectrum of employment law matters, including workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour compliance, and executive employment agreements.

• Case Management: Manage complex litigation matters from inception through final resolution, including drafting pleadings, conducting and defending depositions, managing comprehensive discovery, and appearing independently in both state and federal courts.

• Strategic Counseling: Provide preventative, forward-looking advice and counsel to employers regarding policy development, regulatory compliance, workplace investigations, and risk mitigation.

• Collaboration & Leadership: Collaborate closely with practice partners on high-stakes advocacy while providing structured mentorship and guidance to junior associates in a team-oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5–8 years of dedicated, substantive practice in labor and employment law (including litigation, advice and counsel, or a comprehensive mix of both).

• Education: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school with an excellent academic record.

• Licensure: Active member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA).

• Skills: Elite analytical capabilities, exceptional legal writing, and persuasive oral advocacy skills.

• Core Traits: Proven ability to independently drive caseloads forward while maintaining a highly collaborative, collegial approach to team dynamics.

What This Position Offers

• True Work-Life Alignment: A realistic, structured, and entirely achievable billable hour target of 1,600–1,700 hours, allowing for predictable scheduling and personal balance.

• Hybrid Flexibility: A modernized workflow model that balances the convenience of remote work with purposeful, collaborative in-person firm engagement.

• Elite Caseload: Immediate exposure to sophisticated, high-stakes matters on behalf of national and regional brands, working alongside decorated, recognized leaders in the employment law field.

• Exceptional Culture: An inclusive, highly communicative, and meritocratic environment where individual contributions are directly recognized and career advancement pathways are clearly defined.

• Premium Compensation: A robust base salary and comprehensive benefits package that is highly competitive with top-tier boutique market standards.

Confidential Inquiry Process

To protect your current professional standing, all applications, expressions of interest, and inquiries are handled with strict, absolute confidentiality. Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume and representative writing sample for initial vetting and consideration to Nykki McAdoo at nykki.mcadoo@gogpac.com.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.