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LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
Littler Mendelson [Kevin Quinn] This firm has grown from a small San Francisco boutique to a national firm with top clients by sticking to what it knows best - labor and employment law.
In the early 1940’s, Littler and Mendelson
businesses. A survey conducted last year
the firm does get the chance to draw from
was formed as a labor and employment bou-
by Corporate Counsel magazine found that
the best pool of labor & employment attor-
tique in San Francisco and largely handled
Littler Mendelson receives labor and employ-
neys, academics and prior law firm experi-
government wage-control issues, labor
ment work from 22 of the 194 Fortune 250
ence (for laterals) are necessarily looked at
strikes, and various other matters that arose
companies that responded, six more than its
quite seriously. The firm also takes diversity
as a result of wartime labor laws. Since, its
nearest competitor. The firm even takes on
very seriously, as evidenced by its top rank-
labor and employment practice has evolved
important government clients, as one of its
ing in a Daily Journal poll of California’s 25
with the times and the firm has grown to
shareholders just successfully finished de-
largest firms. Littler also ranks high nation-
become the foremost authority in its field.
fending the California Supreme Court against
ally in the percentage of minority attorneys,
The largest firm in the country devoted
an unfair dismissal charge.
gay & lesbian attorneys and female attorneys
exclusively to labor and employment law on
it employs.
behalf of management, Littler and Mendel-
As the top choice for corporations to dole out
son currently employs almost 400 attorneys
labor and employment matters to, Littler &
in 29 offices.
Mendelson has also become a top choice for
Jobs
many attorneys who seek to practice in the
Littler Mendelson currently has openings
Much of the growth that has allowed the firm
field. There are plenty of reasons for that,
for legal staff throughout its network of
to rise to national prominence has occurred
too, as the firm offers competitive salaries
29 offices, and for labor and employment
relatively recently in its history. After having
(although somewhat lower than what you
attorneys in the San Francisco Bay Area,
spread to every major commercial center in
might find at a national general practice
Columbus, OH, and Denver, among other
California in the 1970’s and opening its first
firm), an emphasis on a proper work-life bal-
places. More information regarding attorney
East Coast office in Baltimore in the early
ance (including telecommuting options and
positions at Littler Mendelson can be found
80’s, Littler has seen a veritable growth
an optional reduced hours plan after working
in the LawCrossing jobs database.
explosion occur since the early 90’s, opening
there for two years) and early experience
offices in every region of the country. Now
with clients and in the courtroom. Littler
making its mark in 17 states, Littler has set
also offers training and mentor programs
up satellites in Boston, Charlotte, Miami over
for both new and lateral hires that has an
the last 12 months. The firm also teamed up
unmatched capability to produce excellent
with Phoenix-based Bacon & Dear last year
labor & employment attorneys. The firm’s
to establish a separate firm, Littler Mendel-
somewhat unique combination of having a
son Bacon & Dear, to handle immigration
boutique practice while still offering the ben-
law, allowing clients to get immigration
efits of a large national firm is also a draw
services that often overlap with employment
to many who take labor and employment law
law from a firm affiliate.
seriously.
This massive growth is justified, however, as
So what does it take to join Littler Mendel-
the firm has become the labor and employ-
son? First and foremost, a clear dedication
ment firm of choice for a vast number of
to the work the firm does. All attorneys must
American corporations, including every-
have an interest in making a career out of the
one from Fortune 500 members to small
practice of labor & employment law. Since
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