Employment Attorney; Counseling + Litigation

Employment Attorney (Counseling + Litigation)

Location: On-site preferred (with some flexibility) – Seattle, WA

Practice Area: Employment Law (Employer-Side)

Seniority: Mid- to Senior-Level (5+ years)

About the Opportunity

Direct Counsel is seeking an Employment Attorney to join a business-focused, full-service law firm serving small to mid-size businesses.

The firm was founded by former big-law attorneys who wanted to build a practice centered on high-quality legal work, collaboration, and sustainable work–life balance. The firm now offers integrated services across:

• Business / Corporate
• Employment
• Litigation
• Tax
• Estate Planning / Probate

The culture is collegial, supportive, and in-office, with a strong emphasis on mentorship and long-term professional growth.

Position Overview

This role is ideal for an attorney who enjoys both employment counseling and litigation. The attorney will step into an established employer-side employment practice, inheriting work from a senior attorney approaching retirement.

The position includes a mix of:

• Day-to-day employment counseling and policy work for employers
• Employment litigation and administrative matters when disputes arise

The attorney will work directly with business clients, providing practical legal guidance and representation.

Key Responsibilities

Employment Counseling

• Advise employers on hiring, discipline, termination, leave issues, and accommodations
• Draft and update employee handbooks, policies, and employment agreements
• Provide compliance guidance under federal, state, and local employment laws

Employment Litigation

• Handle or supervise litigation matters, including:
• Discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims
• Wage-and-hour disputes and statutory claims
• Administrative charges and agency proceedings (EEOC and state agencies)

Client & Firm Collaboration

• Collaborate with attorneys across business and litigation practices
• Support ongoing client relationships and contribute to practice growth over time

Qualifications

• 5+ years of employer-side employment-law experience
• Strong background in employment counseling, policy development, and compliance
• Experience handling or materially contributing to employment litigation
• Ability to manage matters independently while working collaboratively
• Excellent research, writing, and advocacy skills
• Admission (or ability to become admitted) in Washington State

Work Environment & Expectations

Billable Hours

• Target of approximately 1,600 billable hours annually
• Emphasis on sustainable workloads and balance

Culture

• Collaborative, in-person environment
• Strong mentorship and partner accessibility
• Focus on long-term careers, not churn

Schedule

• Attorneys are generally in the office most days
• Some remote flexibility (e.g., one day per week) after onboarding
• More in-office presence expected initially

Compensation

• Base salary range: $140,000 – $220,000, depending on experience, skills, and level of independence in both counseling and litigation
• Bonus opportunities may be available based on performance
• Benefits package includes health insurance, retirement benefits, and paid time off