Employment & Labor Attorney (Venture Capital Focus)

Job Description

Job Description

Employment & Labor Attorney (Venture Capital Focus) : 3–6 Years' Experience

Locations : Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Palo Alto, CA | San Francisco, CA

Position Type : Associate

Direct Counsel is seeking a highly skilled Employment & Labor Attorney to join a leading national law firm with a robust practice serving clients in the venture capital and investment sectors. This is a unique opportunity for a mid-level associate to provide strategic guidance on employment matters at the heart of the innovation economy.

About the Role :

This role sits within a nationally recognized Employment & Labor practice group and will involve high-level counseling on employment issues specific to venture capital firms and their portfolio companies. The ideal candidate will have experience advising on employment-related compliance, employment agreements, and risk mitigation strategies, with an interest in partnering closely with the firm’s fund formation team to deliver integrated client service. While the primary focus is counseling and transactional work, candidates with a background in employment litigation are also encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities :

Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice on a broad range of employment matters affecting VC firms and other financial entities

Counsel clients on employment-related issues that arise during the fund lifecycle, including executive hiring and terminations, restrictive covenants, compensation structures, and compliance with evolving employment laws

Draft, review, and negotiate employment agreements, offer letters, confidentiality agreements, and separation agreements

Partner with internal fund formation and corporate teams to support clients during entity formation, M&A activity, and other strategic transactions

Stay current on federal, state, and local employment laws and emerging regulatory trends that impact investment firms and their management teams

(Optional) Support or lead internal investigations and advise on employment-related disputes or litigation strategy

Qualifications :

J.D. from an accredited law school

3–6 years of experience practicing employment law, ideally within a law firm setting

Familiarity with the venture capital ecosystem, fund clients, or high-growth companies strongly preferred

Experience counseling clients on day-to-day employment matters and drafting employment-related documents is essential

Employment litigation experience is a plus, though not required

Strong communication skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to client service

Excellent academic credentials and a demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively

Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar

Compensation & Benefits :

Base Salary Range : $260,000 – $390,000 annually (based on experience and office location)

Discretionary year-end bonus and performance-based incentives

Comprehensive benefits, including :

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts

Firm-paid life and disability insurance

Backup childcare and elder care support

Fertility and parental support benefits, including generous paid parental leave

4 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks of sick leave, and 10 paid holidays annually

Pre-tax commuter benefits and wellness programs

This is an exciting opportunity to step into a practice at the intersection of employment law and the fast-paced world of venture capital. You'll work alongside collaborative, industry-leading attorneys while building long-term client relationships with some of the most dynamic firms in the market.