Litigation Associate -- Wage & Hour (Josephson Dunlap)

Job Description

Job Description

Litigation Associate

Firm: Josephson Dunlap
Location: San Felipe St, Houston, TX (on-site — 5 days/week)
Experience: 5–10 years post-JD
Compensation: $150,000 – $200,000

About the Role

Josephson Dunlap is seeking a Litigation Associate with 5–10 years of experience to join a nationally respected plaintiff-side wage-and-hour boutique in Houston.

You'll handle substantive litigation — depositions, hearings, mediations, and trial work — directly alongside the firm's two named Partners on complex class and collective actions representing workers across the country. The firm is hiring two associates for this role.

What You'll Be Doing

• Handle depositions, hearings, mediations, and trial work alongside a Partner
• Draft and manage written discovery, motions, pleadings, and legal correspondence
• Run active case management across a nationwide docket of FLSA class/collective actions
• Participate in settlement negotiations and mediation
• Mentor junior attorneys and the firm's recently expanded briefing team

Key Requirements

• 5–10 years of litigation experience with significant deposition and in-court advocacy — must have actually taken/defended depositions and argued motions
• Experience with class or collective action litigation (plaintiff or defense side acceptable)
• Written discovery drafting and motion practice experience
• Trial experience, including direct and cross-examination of witnesses
• FLSA and state wage-and-hour law knowledge
• Based in Houston, TX and able to work fully on-site — hard filter, no remote
• Strong live presentation and communication skills — must interview well in person with both Partners
• JD from an accredited law school with active bar membership in good standing (TX bar preferred)
• Genuine interest in representing workers and a plaintiff-side mindset

Preferred Qualifications

• Plaintiff-side employment or wage-and-hour firm background
• Defense-side wage-and-hour associates open to switching to plaintiff work are also welcome

Compensation & Logistics

• Salary: $150,000 – $200,000 base
• Bonus: Case-specific bonuses tied to origination and results, plus annual hours-based bonuses that compound for high-output associates
• Equity: N/A
• On-site policy: 5 days/week in-office, San Felipe St, Houston, TX
• Hiring count: 2
• Visa sponsorship: Not available

Why Join

• Meaningful work with real impact. A nationally respected plaintiff-side wage-and-hour boutique — you'll exclusively represent workers fighting for unpaid wages and overtime.
• Substantive litigation from day one. Depositions, hearings, motion practice, mediations, and trial work directly alongside both named Partners, with no layers of management.
• Strong bonus upside. $150K–$200K base plus case-specific and annual hours-based bonuses that reward high output.
• A firm at a growth inflection point. Recently hired 4 attorneys and moved into a Class A office on San Felipe St, with mentorship opportunities over an expanding team.
• Strong benefits. Employer-paid medical (BCBS), dental, vision, and life insurance; 401(k) with match up to 3.5%; garage parking; PTO up to 20 days; parental leave; and a firm credit card for travel.

Not a Fit If

• Unable or unwilling to work fully on-site in Houston, TX (or to relocate)
• No hands-on deposition or in-court hearing experience

Note: Key screening criteria — Houston on-site availability, depth of litigation/deposition experience, salary expectations, and interest in plaintiff-side work — will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates.