Of Counsel - Public Entity Labor & Employment

Atkinson Andelson Loya Ruud & Romo

$120K — $180K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Minimum 7 years of experience in litigation, labor relations, or public-sector employment law.
  • Strong preference for experience with public agencies or union representation.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently on complex legal issues.
  • Excellent writing and negotiation skills are essential.
  • Graduates in the top 50% from prestigious law schools like UC Berkeley or USF are encouraged to apply.
  • Client-focused mindset with a passion for local government.

Responsibilities

  • Lead complex litigation for public entities in trial and appellate courts.
  • Serve as chief labor negotiator, advising management during collective bargaining.
  • Conduct high-profile employment investigations, specifically for represented safety employees.
  • Manage contested administrative hearings, including arbitrations.
  • Provide strategic advice on public-sector labor and employment issues.
  • Act as Special Counsel for municipalities in sensitive matters involving elected officials.
  • Advise Fire Districts on legal compliance, including ethics and public records.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to handle high-impact legal cases affecting California public law.
  • Access to a supportive and collaborative work environment within a thriving public-sector practice.
  • Chance to lead and mentor junior attorneys.
Full Job Description
Atkinson Andelson Loya Ruud & Romo (AALRR), an AmLaw 200 law firm with nine offices across California, seeks up to two experienced Of Counsel Attorneys (7+ years) to join our Public Entity Labor & Employment (PELE) Practice Group in Marin.

Key Responsibilities

We are seeking senior-level attorneys who can operate independently and serve as trusted advisors to our public entity clients. Responsibilities may include:
  • Leading complex litigation in trial and appellate courts on behalf of cities, counties, and special districts.
  • Serving as chief labor negotiator at bargaining tables, advising management in collective bargaining, responding to union demands, and handling unfair practice charges before PERB.
  • Conducting and managing high-profile employment investigations, particularly involving represented safety employees (POBR/FBOR).
  • Handling contested administrative hearings, including arbitrations and PERB trials.
  • Providing strategic advice and counsel on a wide range of public-sector labor and employment issues, including discipline, accommodations, wage-and-hour compliance, and executive contracts.
  • Acting as Special Counsel to municipalities in matters involving elected official misconduct and other politically sensitive issues.
  • Advising Fire Districts on general counsel services, including Brown Act, Public Records Act, and ethics compliance.
  • Drafting complex legal opinions and advising City Attorney offices on novel governance issues.

Qualifications
  • Experience: Minimum 7 years of litigation, labor relations, or public-sector employment law. Prior public agency or union-side experience strongly preferred.
  • Skills: Proven ability to handle cases independently; excellent writing, negotiation, and client counseling skills.
  • Academic Background: Top 50% of law school class preferred; graduates from UC Berkeley, UC Law SF, UC Davis, Santa Clara, USF, or other highly regarded law schools encouraged to apply.
  • Mindset: Independent, client-focused, collaborative, and passionate about local government.

Why AALRR?

This is a rare chance to join a thriving public-sector practice, take the lead on complex labor and employment matters, and work on high-impact cases shaping California public law.

To Apply: Submit your resume, law school transcript, and a representative writing sample.

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