Labor & Employment Transactional Associate Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Labor & Employment Transactional Associate Attorney
Locations: Pittsburgh, PA | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Dallas, TX
Compensation: Competitive, based on experience

Direct Counsel is seeking a Labor & Employment Transactional Associate to join the Labor & Employment Practice of a leading Am Law firm . This opportunity is ideal for an attorney with 3–6 years of labor & employment or corporate transactional experience who enjoys advising clients on sophisticated employment matters arising in mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, executive transitions, and other strategic corporate transactions.

This role sits at the intersection of employment law and corporate dealmaking, offering the opportunity to work closely with corporate deal teams, private equity sponsors, and executive leadership on matters that directly impact transaction value, workforce integration, and enterprise risk.

• Support labor and employment due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, private equity investments, and other strategic transactions.
• Draft and negotiate executive employment agreements, separation agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, and related employment documents.
• Advise clients on executive mobility issues, including the enforceability of non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements.
• Counsel clients on post-closing workforce integration, executive transitions, and sensitive employment matters arising during and after transactions.
• Partner with corporate deal teams and private equity sponsors to identify and mitigate employment-related transaction risks.
• Advise senior executives and corporate leadership on personnel, governance, and workforce-related strategic issues.
• Collaborate across corporate, labor & employment, and private equity practices to deliver practical, business-focused legal solutions.

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
• 3–6 years of labor & employment or corporate transactional experience at a law firm.
• Experience supporting mergers and acquisitions or private equity transactions is strongly preferred.
• Significant drafting experience involving executive employment agreements, separation agreements, and restrictive covenant arrangements.
• Strong analytical, drafting, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple sophisticated matters while working effectively with corporate deal teams and private equity sponsors.
• Demonstrated sound judgment, strong problem-solving abilities, and a client-focused approach.
• Active bar admission in the jurisdiction where applying.

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience, including bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement benefits, paid time off, and firm-sponsored wellness programs.
• Hybrid work environment with access to advanced legal technology, professional development resources, meaningful mentorship, and opportunities to build a sophisticated practice at the intersection of employment law, private equity, and corporate transactions.