Labor & Employment Associate

The Position

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP is seeking an Associate Attorney or Senior Counsel with three to ten years of experience in employment law and litigation to join our Austin office in the firm?s Labor and Employment Practice. Ideally, the candidate should have experience counseling clients in employment-related decision-making, along with developing and maintaining workable employment policies, practices, and procedures that comply with always evolving legal requirements. The candidate also should have experience handling claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under state and/or federal employment laws, and the ability to handle DOL audits and EEOC charges, including defending investigations, preparing position statements, defending clients in fact-finding conferences and on-site visits, representing clients in mediations and conciliations, and negotiating settlements. The candidate should also have employment litigation experience, including drafting responsive pleadings, handling all aspects of the discovery process, and drafting motions, including motions for summary judgment. The candidate should like to work in a team-oriented, collaborative environment. Candidates should highlight prior work representing higher education or public-sector clients, as this role will include significant work for public and private colleges and universities. In addition, the firm is open to candidates with 3-5 years of litigation experience who are interested in shifting to a full-time employment law practice that includes both employment litigation and advice and counsel work.

The Company

We are Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP, are a full-service law firm with more than 350 lawyers and technical professionals who work in collaborative, interdisciplinary practices to serve clients around the world. We work with companies in all kinds of industries, as well as trade associations, nonprofits, educational institutions, governments, family trusts, and high-net-worth individuals. Since our firm?s founding in 1848, we?ve continuously evolved to meet our clients? changing needs and expectations. One thing remains the same: For generations, clients have relied on Michael Best for exceptional legal service and business acumen.

The Location

We have offices in Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Madison, Manitowoc, Waukesha); Illinois (Chicago); Utah (Salt Lake City); Colorado (Denver, Broomfield); Texas (Austin); North Carolina (Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington); California (Los Angeles); Nebraska (Lincoln) and Washington D.C. Our contemporary offices spaces are ideal for concentration and collaboration supporting our culture of working together to make great things happen for our clients. This position is available in our Austin office.

Bring Your Best

Knowledge Base & Education:

• J.D. from an ABA accredited law school
• Excellent academic credentials
• Three to ten years of employment law experience

Adaptability:

• Ability to learn and embrace new skills and best practices as the position evolves and Firm needs change
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work well independently as well as effectively within a team

Collaboration:

• Ability to develop relationships and foster teamwork at all levels of the Firm

Communication:

• Excellent interperson