Remote Employment Litigation Jobs in California | Market Guide

Dear Lauren M.,

California's Employment Litigation Goldmine

You're entering one of the hottest employment litigation markets in the country. Even after the 2024 PAGA reforms (AB 2288/SB 92) introduced manageability requirements, cure opportunities, and penalty reductions for proactive compliance, California employment law remains a specialty practice with enormous demand (verify current requirements as implementation continues to evolve). The state's unique regulatory environment — from wage and hour complexities to AB5 gig worker classification rules and evolving pay transparency laws — creates constant need for skilled practitioners.

Employment litigation firms in LA and San Francisco often report strong demand for qualified candidates, and your wage and hour class action background positions you perfectly for this market. California-specific expertise commands premium compensation, and firms are increasingly willing to invest in training the right candidates on state-specific nuances.

Remote Work Reality Check

The remote landscape for employment litigation in California is more favorable than many practice areas, but it varies significantly by firm type and client base. Boutique employment firms often offer the most flexibility, especially those handling class actions and PAGA matters where court appearances can be scheduled around remote work.

Many firms distinguish between "remote-first" positions and "hybrid-flexible" arrangements. True remote positions typically require you to be California-barred and available for in-person client meetings or court appearances on reasonable notice. Hybrid arrangements might expect you in a firm office 1-2 days per week, which could be challenging from Sacramento depending on the firm's location.

Larger firms with Sacramento offices (like Downey Brand or regional offices of national firms) might offer the best of both worlds — local presence with access to California's robust employment litigation market.

Practice Area Demand and Specialization

Your timing couldn't be better. Wage and hour class actions remain enormous in California, and the state's ever-evolving employment regulations create consistent work streams. Key growth areas include:

• Tech sector layoff litigation: Bay Area firms are seeing surge in WARN Act and severance disputes
• AI and employment law: Emerging as a subspecialty, particularly around algorithmic hiring and workplace monitoring
• Gig economy classification: AB5 continues generating complex litigation around worker classification
• Pay equity and transparency: New disclosure requirements creating both compliance and litigation work

Firms like Fenwick & West, Wilson Sonsini, and Cooley dominate tech-adjacent employment work, while specialized employment boutiques handle the bulk of class action matters.

Bar Admission and Market Entry Strategy

California bar admission should be your first priority. The state generally doesn't have reciprocity, so you'll typically need to sit for the California bar exam or qualify for admission by motion if you meet specific experience requirements. Check current requirements with the State Bar as these rules can change.

Consider taking the February bar exam if you're moving in 6 months — this gives you time to study while wrapping up your current role and positions you to start interviewing with admission pending. Many firms will interview candidates with bar applications in process, especially in high-demand areas like employment law.

Consider checking current requirements immediately since this will dictate your timeline.

Compensation and Career Trajectory

California employment litigation offers strong compensation potential, though it varies dramatically between practice settings. Large firm employment groups often follow market rates comparable to other litigation practices, though compensation structures vary by firm, while specialized employment boutiques might offer lower base salaries but higher bonus potential tied to case outcomes.

Your class action experience is particularly valuable — firms handling large wage and hour matters often structure compensation around case success, which can be lucrative for experienced practitioners. Consider whether you prefer the predictability of large firm pay scales or the upside potential of boutique practices.

Sacramento Considerations

Sacramento's legal market is smaller but growing, with particular strength in government relations and regulatory work. For employment litigation, you'll likely need to look beyond purely local firms unless you're interested in state government work or regional employment defense.

The advantage of Sacramento is its position between San Francisco and the Central Valley — you could potentially serve clients throughout Northern California while maintaining lower living costs than Bay Area markets. Some practitioners successfully build hybrid practices serving both Sacramento-area clients and maintaining relationships with larger Bay Area firms for complex matters.

Making the Transition

Start networking now with California employment lawyers through bar associations and practice groups. The employment law community can be relationship-driven, and personal connections matter significantly in lateral hiring.

Consider joining the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA) or the Labor and Employment Law Section of the State Bar before moving. These organizations offer excellent networking opportunities and continuing education on California-specific practice areas.

Given your experience level and the market demand, you may have multiple options. Focus on firms that align with your remote work needs while offering the California-specific training that will make you most valuable in this market long-term.