Salary range: $180K - $225KLocation: Austin, TX; Dallas, TX
Visa Sponsorship Details: Not open to any visas (e.g., U.S. citizens, green card holders)
On-site work policy: 4 days in-office in Austin or Dallas, TX (Austin preferred); hybrid flexibility after ramp-up, ~3 days/week
About this roleWe are looking for an Employment Attorney with at least 7 years of experience to serve as a key legal advisor to a growing portfolio of startups, venture-backed companies, and M&A clients at one of Texas's most exciting boutique firms. This is a new position driven by real demand - you'll work directly alongside an equity partner in Austin, with genuine autonomy, meaningful client relationships, and a culture that actually walks the talk on work-life balance.
What will you be doing?- Serving as primary counsel on a wide range of employment matters - from hiring practices and separations to restrictive covenants and multi-state compliance
- Conducting employment law diligence on M&A transactions, including review of employment agreements, worker classification, and benefits obligations
- Drafting and negotiating employment agreements, severance packages, non-competes, and equity compensation documents across multiple jurisdictions
- Managing client relationships directly - advising startups, PE-backed platforms, and executives with proactive, commercially practical counsel
- Mentoring junior attorneys and contributing to cross-practice matters and business development
Key Requirements- Minimum 7 years of employment law experience - must have been practiced at a law firm (not solely in-house/corporate)
- Active Texas Bar membership (JD required)
- Strong command of employment law in the context of M&A - employee transitions, restrictive covenants, state-specific compliance
- Ability to work independently and manage a client portfolio with minimal partner oversight
- Ideally based in Austin; Dallas considered
Role responsibilities• Serve as primary or supporting counsel on complex employment matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate employment agreements and restrictive covenants.
• Advise clients on multi-state workforce compliance obligations.
• Manage a client portfolio directly, delivering proactive legal advice.
• Conduct employment law diligence for acquisitions and financings.
• Handle restrictive covenant enforcement actions.
• Conduct or oversee internal workplace investigations.
• Manage responses to EEOC, DOL, state agency charges.
• Mentor associates on employment matters.
• Contribute to client origination and cross-selling.
