Job Description
Job Description
Employment Law Senior Attorney
Location: Multiple locations in California | Hybrid (2–3 days/week)
Salary ranges: $230k-$300k per year
Full-Time with Benefits
Michael Sullivan & Associates LLP
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About the Company
The Client is one of California’s leading defense law firms with 10 offices statewide and over 100 attorneys. Guided by its “Prevent and Defend” philosophy, the firm delivers proactive and robust legal strategies across workers’ compensation, employment law, general liability, and more. Known for publishing Sullivan on Comp, the definitive treatise on California workers’ compensation law, The client offers a supportive, inclusive culture, competitive benefits, remote-flexible work, and clear paths for career growth.
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As the Employment Law Department continues to grow, Michael Sullivan & Associates is now seeking a Senior Attorney with 10+ years of Employment Law experience.
Tasks Performed:
1. Litigation Defense & Risk Management for School Districts:
• Defend school districts in employment-related lawsuits, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims involving teachers, staff, and
• administrators.
• Handle disputes arising from complaints filed with agencies like the EEOC, state education departments, and labor boards.
• Oversee the discovery process, motion practice, and settlement negotiations, with a focus on public sector employment regulations and education law.
2. Strategic Counsel & Legal Guidance for School District Leadership:
- Advise school boards, superintendents, and HR departments on navigating complex employment laws such as Title IX, ADA, FMLA, and state-specific education regulations.
- Develop proactive legal strategies to mitigate risk in labor disputes, employee discipline, hiring practices, and contract negotiations.
- Provide counsel on addressing union relations, teacher tenure, and collective bargaining agreements to prevent litigation and ensure compliance.
3. Policy Development & Compliance for Educational Institutions:
• Review and draft school district employment policies on areas like employee conduct, tenure, discipline, and termination, ensuring they align with both employment and
• education laws.
• Advise on drafting teacher and staff contracts, ensuring compliance with public education laws, union agreements, and collective bargaining terms.
• Ensure the district’s practices comply with federal and state regulations affecting public school employment, including Title IX, ADA, and other education-specific statutes.
4. Training & Development for School District HR and Administrators:
• Provide tailored training to school district leadership, HR personnel, and administrators on legal compliance, best practices in handling employee relations, and mitigating risks
• of litigation in the educational context.
• Conduct workshops on issues such as anti-discrimination, sexual harassment prevention, and navigating teacher tenure and union rules, ensuring the district adheres to legal and
• ethical standards.
Job Competencies:
- Must have a well-established and exclusive employment litigation, defense background.
- Trial experience is preferred, but not required
- School district defense experience required
- Experience with public entity defense is preferred
- Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degrees
- Member of the State Bar of California & within good standing
- Superior research, analytical, and negotiating ability
- Excellent written and oral communication
- Commitment to proactive case management
Work Environment:
When applicable and appropriate, consideration will be given to reasonable accommodations.
• Mental: Clear and conceptual thinking ability; excellent judgment, troubleshooting, problem solving, analysis, and discretion; ability to handle work-related stress; ability to
· handle multiple priorities simultaneously; and ability to meet deadlines
• Physical: Computer keyboarding, travel as required
• Auditory/Visual: Hearing, vision and speaking