Union Lawyer Jobs in Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining

This page is for union lawyers, labor associates, and staff counsel who represent workers, labor unions, and employee associations in collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, and labor-management relations. Candidates typically work at labor-side law firms, international and local unions, worker advocacy nonprofits, and public sector agencies handling unfair labor practice charges, contract negotiations, and NLRB proceedings. Use LegalExperts.ai to discover in-house and firm-side union counsel opportunities, from entry-level labor attorneys to senior counsel advising on organizing campaigns, workplace rights, and employment policies across unionized industries.

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Job Responsibilities

Advise unions and worker organizations on collective bargaining strategy, contract negotiations, and labor-management relations.
Draft, review, and interpret collective bargaining agreements, side letters, and memoranda of understanding.
Represent unions in grievance proceedings, labor arbitrations, unfair labor practice cases, and NLRB or state labor board hearings.
Provide day-to-day counseling on union organizing campaigns, picketing, strikes, and concerted activity under the NLRA and related laws.
Research and analyze federal, state, and local labor and employment statutes, regulations, and case law impacting unionized workplaces.
Collaborate with organizers, union leadership, and external stakeholders to support campaigns, contract campaigns, and workplace actions.
Train stewards, union representatives, and members on contract enforcement, workplace rights, and dispute resolution procedures.

Minimum Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school with strong academic performance.
Active membership in at least one state bar, with eligibility to practice in relevant jurisdictions.
1–5+ years of experience in labor and employment law, preferably representing unions or employees.
Solid knowledge of the National Labor Relations Act, NLRB procedures, and collective bargaining frameworks.
Demonstrated experience in legal research, motion practice, and advocacy before administrative agencies or courts.
Excellent written and oral advocacy skills, with the ability to explain complex labor concepts to non-lawyers.
Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends to support bargaining sessions, arbitrations, and organizing campaigns.

Preferred Skills

Prior experience working for a union, worker center, legal aid organization, or labor-side law firm.
Familiarity with public sector labor law, wage and hour issues, and joint-employer or successorship doctrines.
Comfort representing clients in hearings, arbitrations, mediations, and negotiations with management counsel.
Fluency in a second language common in the represented workforce (e.g., Spanish) to support member engagement.
Strong commitment to workers’ rights, social justice, and collaborative, movement-based lawyering.

Frequently Ask Questions

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What does a union lawyer do?

A union lawyer represents labor unions, workers, and employee associations in legal matters related to collective bargaining, workplace rights, and labor-management relations. They draft and negotiate collective bargaining agreements, handle grievance and arbitration procedures, and litigate unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB or state labor boards. They also advise union leadership on organizing campaigns, strikes, picketing, and compliance with labor statutes and regulations.

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