Employment Litigation Associate

Charting Your Course: The Employment Litigation Associate Role at Kaufman Dolowich LLP

Securing a position as an Employment Litigation Associate at a nationally recognized firm like Kaufman Dolowich LLP represents a pivotal milestone in a legal career. Located in the bustling legal hub of White Plains, NY, this on-site, full-time role offers more than just a paycheck—it provides a gateway into high-stakes, complex litigation that shapes workplace law across the country. For the ambitious attorney with 2-5 years of experience, this opening is a rare blend of sophisticated docket exposure, mentorship-driven culture, and a clear partnership track.

Insider Perspective: Employment litigation is currently one of the most dynamic practice areas in the US legal market. With the EEOC increasing enforcement activity, the rise of remote-work disputes, and evolving non-compete legislation, firms like Kaufman Dolowich are aggressively expanding their benches. This hire signals heavy caseload growth.

Why Kaufman Dolowich? Deconstructing the Firm's Strategic Edge

Before polishing your resume, understand the platform you are stepping onto. Kaufman Dolowich is not merely a "litigation firm"; it is an Am Law 200 powerhouse with a distinct identity built on defending employers in the most contentious arenas. Their Employment Law practice group is consistently ranked by Chambers USA and Best Lawyers, handling bet-the-company class actions, wage-and-hour collective actions, and high-profile discrimination suits.

• National Footprint, Local Depth: With offices coast-to-coast, the White Plains office serves as a critical nexus for the firm's Northeast corridor clients—major financial institutions, healthcare systems, and Fortune 500 corporations.
• Defense-Side Specialization: Unlike general practice firms, Kaufman Dolowich represents exclusively management/employers. This specialization means you develop deep, repeatable expertise in defense strategy, making you a highly marketable specialist.
• Technology-Forward Litigation: The firm invests heavily in e-discovery platforms, AI-driven document review, and data analytics for early case assessment. Associates here gain technical fluency that is increasingly a prerequisite for partnership.

The Anatomy of the Role: What "Employment Litigation Associate" Actually Entails

The job description on LinkedIn is necessarily brief. The reality of the day-to-day requires a specific blend of intellectual horsepower and practical grit. You are not merely reviewing documents; you are architecting defenses.

Core Responsibilities: Beyond the Bullet Points

• First-Chair Development: While senior partners lead trials, associates at this level (2-5 years) are expected to take depositions, argue motions (summary judgment, motions to dismiss, Daubert challenges), and manage discovery strategy for individual plaintiffs within larger class actions.
• Wage & Hour Mastery: A significant portion of the docket involves FLSA and NYLL collective actions. You must master the nuances of "off-the-clock" work, misclassification exemptions, and the statistical modeling required for certification opposition.
• Client Counseling & Prevention: The best defense is offense. You will draft employee handbooks, separation agreements, and mandatory arbitration policies, advising HR executives on risk mitigation before litigation arises.
• Agency Practice: Regular appearances before the EEOC, NYSDHR, and DOL for position statements, mediations, and fact-finding conferences.

Strategic Preparation: Positioning Yourself for the Offer

With 11 applicants already clicking "Apply" within a week of reposting, competition is active but not insurmountable. The firm manages responses off LinkedIn, meaning your application packet (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcript, Writing Sample) lands directly in the hiring partner's inbox. Here is how to make it count.

1. The Narrative Resume: Show, Don't Just Tell

Remove generic descriptors like "conducted legal research." Replace them with litigation metrics:

• "Drafted and argued successful Motion for Summary Judgment in federal court dismissing Title VII retaliation claim with prejudice."
• "Managed discovery for 50-plaintiff FLSA collective action; negotiated favorable settlement at 30% of exposure."
• "Second-chaired 3-week jury trial in SDNY; prepared direct/cross examinations for 5 witnesses."

2. The Writing Sample: Your Silent Advocate

Submit a dispositive motion brief (MSJ or MTD) or a complex opposition to class certification. Redact client names. The hiring committee evaluates your ability to synthesize facts, cite authority precisely, and write persuasively for a federal judge. A law review note is a distant second choice.

3. Demonstrating "White Plains" Commitment

Since the role is on-site, the firm needs assurance you are geographically stable. If you live in NYC, Connecticut, or Northern NJ, address the commute proactively in your cover letter: "As a Westchester resident / someone with deep ties to the Lower Hudson Valley, I am fully committed to the White Plains office culture and the in-person collaboration it demands."

Pro Tip: Kaufman Dolowich values bar admission. If you are pending NY Bar results, state your expected admission date clearly. If you are admitted in NJ/CT only, highlight your eligibility for NY admission on motion (Rule 520.10) immediately.

Career Trajectory: The 5-Year Horizon from This Seat

Accepting this role is a strategic investment. Where does it lead?

• Years 1-2 (Senior Associate): Lead discovery teams; first-chair arbitrations and bench trials; become the "go-to" for specific industries (e.g., healthcare, financial services).
• Years 3-4 (Counsel/Non-Equity Partner): Originate smaller matters; manage client relationships; speak at CLEs; publish in Bloomberg Law Reports or NYLJ.
• Year 5+ (Equity Partnership): Leverage the firm's national platform. Kaufman Dolowich has a transparent, merit-based compensation model. Portable business is the key, but the firm's marketing engine supports cross-selling across its 20+ practice groups.

Even if partnership isn't the goal, the "Kaufman Dolowich" stamp on your resume opens doors to:
In-House Counsel Roles (Labor & Employment Counsel at major corps pay $250k-$400k+), Government (EEOC, NYAG Labor Bureau), or Boutique Founding.

Navigating the Application Mechanics

The LinkedN posting indicates "Responses managed off LinkedIn." This typically routes to the firm's ATS (Applicant Tracking System)—likely iCIMS or Workday—hosted on kaufmandolowich.com/careers.

1. Click "Apply" on LinkedIn → Redirects to Firm Portal.
2. Create Profile / Upload Documents (PDF preferred).
3. Complete EEO & Veterans Status voluntary disclosures.
4. Submit. You will receive an automated confirmation.

Follow-Up Protocol: Wait 10 business days. Email the White Plains Office Managing Partner (find name via Firm Website > People > Office > White Plains) or the Recruiting Director (recruiting@kaufmandolowich.com is standard format) with a concise note reiterating interest and attaching a recent relevant writing sample if not uploaded initially.

The Bigger Picture: Employment Law in 2025 and Beyond

This hire isn't happening in a vacuum. The regulatory landscape is shifting violently:

• Non-Compete Ban Fallout: The FTC rule litigation (Ryan LLC v. FTC) creates immediate demand for counseling on restrictive covenants and trade secrets (DTSA) litigation.
• AI in Hiring: EEOC guidance on algorithmic bias means employers need audits—legal work that blends litigation defense with compliance.
• Pay Transparency Laws: NY, CA, CO, WA laws create new failure-to-disclose claims. Class action exposure is massive.

Joining Kaufman Dolowich now places you at the epicenter of these battles. You aren't just learning the law; you are writing the defense playbook for the next decade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Kaufman Dolowich sponsor H-1B visas for lateral associates?

A: Historically, the firm has sponsored H-1B visas for highly qualified lateral candidates, particularly those with STEM backgrounds or hard-to-find expertise (e.g., ERISA, complex data privacy). However, sponsorship is evaluated case-by-case and requires explicit discussion during the callback stage. Candidates requiring sponsorship should address their status transparently in the cover letter and confirm their current visa expiration timeline.

Q: What is the billable hour expectation for this role in the White Plains office?

A: While the firm does not publish specific targets publicly, Am Law 200 firms in the NY metro area typically maintain a 1,900 – 2,100 billable hour standard for bonus eligibility. The White Plains office culture is known for being slightly more collegial than the Manhattan headquarters, but the litigation docket is heavy. Associates should budget for 2,200+ hours during peak trial periods. The firm offers "credit" for business development and pro bono work (up to 50-100 hours typically).

Q: How does the firm handle hybrid/remote work flexibility for this "On-site" role?

A: The posting explicitly states "On-site." Post-COVID, Kaufman Dolowich has mandated a return-to-office policy for most attorneys, typically 4-5 days per week. Limited flexibility (e.g., 1 remote day) may be negotiated for senior associates with proven track records, but it is not guaranteed for incoming laterals. Candidates seeking a hybrid schedule should clarify expectations during the interview process rather than assuming flexibility.

Q: What distinguishes the White Plains Employment practice from the NYC headquarters group?

A: The White Plains group focuses heavily on the Lower Hudson Valley, Connecticut, and Northern NJ client base—specifically healthcare systems (Westchester Medical Center, Montefiore networks), regional financial services, and manufacturing/distribution clients. The NYC group handles more multinational corporations and high-frequency trading firms. White Plains associates often enjoy earlier client contact and deposition opportunities due to leaner team staffing on regional matters, whereas NYC associates may work on larger, multi-office class actions with more hierarchical supervision.