LA Employment Attorney Market: Demand & Compensation

Dear Daniel V.,

Market Demand Remains Exceptionally Strong

Following the 2024 PAGA reforms (AB 2288 and SB 92), which introduced manageability requirements, cure opportunities, and penalty reductions for proactive compliance, the employment law market in Los Angeles continues to be one of the most robust practice areas for senior attorneys. While the reforms reshaped some procedural aspects, they did not eliminate the fundamental drivers creating massive demand for California employment expertise (verify current requirements as implementation continues to evolve).

Many employment litigation firms in LA report strong demand for qualified senior attorneys. Wage & hour class actions remain enormous, and California-specific knowledge around Cal/OSHA compliance, AB5 gig worker classification, and the state's expanding pay transparency requirements creates constant need for experienced practitioners.

Compensation Trends for Senior Employment Attorneys

Senior employment partners with established books are commanding significant premiums in the current market. Partners with substantial portable business may see significant compensation increases, though the exact premium varies widely based on individual circumstances and target firm, particularly when moving from mid-size firms to Am Law 100 or 200 platforms.

The portable book calculator can help you evaluate exactly how your current client relationships might translate to compensation at larger firms. Many laterals find that the combination of higher rates and expanded client development resources at major firms amplifies their earning potential significantly.

What Firms Are Paying Premium For

• PAGA litigation experience: Despite reforms, ongoing cases and new filings continue
• Wage & hour class certification expertise: California's complex overtime and break rules
• Tech sector employment knowledge: Especially relevant given recent layoff litigation surge
• Multi-state coordination capabilities: Managing California cases alongside national employment matters

Which Firms Are Actively Recruiting

The major players in LA's employment space are consistently looking for senior talent. This includes both traditional labor & employment powerhouses and litigation-focused firms that have expanded their employment practices to meet client demand.

Many firms are particularly interested in partners who can bridge employment law with other high-demand areas like privacy and data security, white collar defense, or corporate compliance. The market shows strong appetite for attorneys who understand how employment issues intersect with broader business risks.

Geographic Considerations

Your California bar admission and deep knowledge of state-specific employment laws represent significant competitive advantages. While you'll want to verify current requirements using the bar reciprocity tool if considering firms with multi-state practices, your California expertise is essentially non-transferable gold in this market.

Strategic Timing Factors

Several factors make this an opportune time for senior employment attorneys to explore lateral moves:

PAGA Reform Clarity: The 2024 reforms (AB 2288/SB 92) are now established law, introducing manageability requirements and employer cure opportunities. Rather than reducing demand, these changes have created need for attorneys who understand both the pre- and post-reform frameworks (verify current requirements as implementation continues to evolve).

Economic Uncertainty: Broader economic concerns are actually driving increased employment litigation as companies implement cost-cutting measures that often trigger wage & hour or discrimination claims.

Regulatory Expansion: California continues to lead nationally on employment regulation, with new laws creating fresh compliance and litigation needs.

Book Portability Considerations

With a substantial portable book, you're well-positioned for most lateral opportunities. The key question becomes whether your client relationships are truly portable and how they align with target firms' conflict systems and client development approaches.

Employment books may translate well in some cases because employment matters are often discrete engagements, though portability varies significantly. However, conducting thorough conflicts analysis early in any process helps avoid surprises.

Market Outlook

The employment law market in Los Angeles appears to remain strong based on current hiring trends. If anything, emerging areas like AI employment law, expanded privacy regulations, and evolving remote work policies are creating additional subspecialty opportunities for experienced practitioners.

For senior attorneys with your profile, the current market represents an excellent window to explore opportunities at larger platforms with enhanced resources and client development support.

Note: All compensation figures cited are approximate market estimates based on publicly available data and may vary significantly by firm, market, and individual circumstances. Verify current figures directly with firms or recruiters.