Legal recruiters are paid by law firms, not candidates, typically earning 20-33% of the attorney's first-year salary as a placement fee. This creates important dynamics attorneys should understand when working with recruiters.
Washington and California employment law markets differ significantly in regulatory complexity, with California's PAGA and wage & hour laws creating more plaintiff-side opportunities, while Washington's noncompete ban and tech concentration drive corporate employment demand.
The Bay Area offers excellent employment law opportunities across Big Law firms like Fenwick & West and Wilson Sonsini (tech-focused) and specialized boutiques. PAGA litigation and tech layoff cases are driving significant demand for new talent.
Plaintiff-side employment litigation focuses on representing employees in discrimination, wage disputes, and wrongful termination cases, often working on contingency with higher risk/reward. Defense-side represents employers, offers steadier billable hour income, and involves more regulatory compliance and risk mitigation work.
Employment litigation associates in California earn $215,000-$365,000+ at BigLaw firms following the Cravath scale, while boutique employment firms typically pay $160,000-$280,000 depending on experience and PAGA specialization.
Employment litigation associates handle workplace disputes including discrimination, wage and hour claims, and wrongful termination cases. The practice offers diverse client interaction and growing market demand, though work-life balance varies significantly by firm type and case load.
Employment law is exceptionally strong in California due to the state's complex regulatory landscape, PAGA litigation, and tech sector employment issues. The market shows consistent high demand for skilled employment attorneys across both plaintiff and defense sides.
PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) litigation remains a high-demand specialty in California despite 2024 reforms. Employment firms in LA and SF are actively hiring attorneys with wage-and-hour class action experience, making it a lucrative niche for career growth.
Top-tier law firm interviews go beyond basic competency checks—they evaluate strategic thinking, business development potential, and cultural fit. Prepare for questions about deal specifics, client relationship management, and your long-term career vision.
Fenwick & West is an excellent choice for mid-level corporate and technology associates, particularly those with startup or emerging company experience. The firm's market-leading position in Silicon Valley tech transactions creates strong advancement opportunities for laterals with relevant backgrounds.
The T&E partner market for 2026 looks robust, driven by ongoing wealth transfer dynamics and tax uncertainty. High-net-worth population growth and family office expansion continue fueling demand for experienced laterals.