Labor and Employment Attorney

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

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Grand Rapids Until 8/26/2026 2+ years exp First posted June 27, 2026 Last posted June 27, 2026
Job description

The Grand Rapids office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP is seeking candidates with either employment litigation/counseling or traditional labor experience. Candidates should have 2 to 6 years of experience. The ideal candidate will have some experience in one or more of the following areas: employment litigation, counseling, traditional labor arbitrations, contract administration and NLRB matters, including union avoidance and union campaigns and unfair labor practice defense. The Grand Rapids office has a diverse practice including employment litigation, counseling, and traditional labor management-side matters. Candidates should demonstrate outstanding writing, research, and analytical skills, as well as strong academic credentials. The ideal candidate will also be highly motivated to be part of an active national practice, demonstrate initiative, assume responsibility for client matters, and posses the interpersonal skills to work well as part of a larger, collaborative team. Admission to the Michigan Bar is required.

Qualifications (Employment):
1. Substantial single plaintiff employment litigation and counseling and/or traditional labor law experience
2. Preferred candidates will also have experience with employment law advice and counseling, and wage and hour and employment class action litigation
3. Outstanding writing, research, and analytical skills
4. Strong academic credentials
5. Candidates should also be admitted and in good standing with the Michigan bar

Qualifications (Labor):
1. Substantial traditional labor law experience/knowledge on arbitrations, contract administration, and/or NLRB matters, including union avoidance and union campaigns and unfair labor practice defense
2. Outstanding writing, research, and analytical skills
3. Strong academic credentials
4. Candidates should also be admitted and in good standing with the Michigan bar

Barnes & Thornburg LLP is an AmLaw 100 national, full-service law firm with 26 offices. The firm has an exceptional reputation for having an inclusive, collegial and supportive atmosphere, where members of the firm can thrive, learn, and advance in their career.

We will not consider resumes submitted by external agencies or recruiters for this position. Recruiters and agencies will not be compensated for assisting Barnes & Thornburg LLP in recruiting for this position, regardless whether such party has a recruiting contract with us.

Equal Employment and Opportunity Statement:

Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran’s status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.

About this role

Summary

Handle employment and labor law cases, advise clients, and manage litigation matters.

Job title

Labor and Employment Attorney

Experience level

2-6 years

Minimum experience

2+ years exp

Industry

law

Location requirements

Grand Rapids; remote work not specified

Salary

Not specified

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

employment litigationtraditional laborresearchwritingadvice and counseling

Preferred skills

wage and hourclass action litigationunion avoidancearbitrationscontract administration

Specializations

employment lawlabor lawlitigationcounselingNLRB
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Grand Rapids, MI, USA

Work arrangement unknown City