ClientTeam Counsel

Ogletree Deakins; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 145,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Ogletree Deakins is seeking an experienced litigator for a flexible, remote role focusing on legal writing within a full-cycle litigation practice. The position offers substantial autonomy while defending employers in employment litigation, including arbitrations, with a lower billable target than traditional shareholder tracks.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years of litigation experience, strong writing and analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate with a client team and professionals

Qualifications

• Active license to practice law in the state of residence.
• 2+ years of litigation experience; transferable skills from other fields acceptable.
• Strong analytical and writing abilities.
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to multi-task.
• Self-motivated, accountable and responsive.
• Ability to collaborate with attorneys, staff, and clients.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Defend employers in employment litigation, including arbitrations.
• Perform legal research and draft dispositive motions and briefs.
• Provide briefing support to a dedicated team.
• Work from initial drafts or develop briefing from scratch.
• Occasionally appear at virtual arbitration conferences and hearings.
• Coordinate with client team and maintain client service.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Writing skills

Organizational skills

Multi-tasking

Client service

Self-motivation

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary

Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, has an opportunity for an experienced litigator seeking a role with increased flexibility with a focus on legal writing without giving up the challenge of a full-cycle litigation practice. This highly flexible role will allow the right candidate to work remotely without the administrative and client-development demands of a shareholder/partner track position. This role will focus on efficient, effective legal work with a lower billable hours target than our full-time shareholder track attorneys.

Working with a dedicated client team servicing one of the firm’s largest clients, this attorney will focus on defending employers in employment litigation, primarily single/multi-plaintiff arbitrations. Core responsibilities will regularly include, but will not be limited to, providing input on defense strategy, performing legal research, and drafting dispositive motions and briefs. This attorney will provide support for a dedicated team within the firm, providing briefing on a regular and ad-hoc basis. The ideal candidate should be comfortable both working from initial drafts designed by the team and creating briefing from start to finish. From time-to-time, the attorney may need to appear at virtual arbitration conferences and hearings.

While this role will not be required to work in the office, the attorney will be included in the firm’s annual all-attorney retreat and will have access to the firm’s extensive learning and development resources.

This position may be remote, but the successful candidate must reside in a state where the firm has a physical office

We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in the manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for the position in accordance with the Fair Chance Ordinance.

Requirements

• Candidates must be and remain actively licensed to practice law in good standing in the state in which they reside.
• Candidates must have 2+ years of litigation experience, either in-house or for a law firm, government agency, or nonprofit. Prior employment law experience is not required. We are open to candidates with strong general litigation backgrounds, including attorneys coming from insurance defense or criminal litigation backgrounds (both prosecution and defense), provided they have transferable litigation skills and an interest in employment litigation.
• Job requires excellent analytical and writing skills, strong organizational skills, ability to multi-task, and dedication to client service.
• Due to the remote nature of the position, this job requires a high level of self-motivation, accountability for work product, and responsiveness.
• Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to manage and work collaboratively with attorneys, administrative professionals, and clients, including excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including but not limited to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Benefits

In accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the expected salary range for this Colorado position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with New York State’s Wage Transparency Law, the expected salary range for this New York State position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with California’s amended labor code as stated in Senate Bill 1162, the expected salary range for this California position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, the expected salary range for this Washington position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with the Wage Transparency Omnibus Amendment Act, the expected salary range for this DC position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with Maryland’s Equal Pay for Equal Work-Wage Range Transparency Law, the expected salary range for this Baltimore position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with Cleveland’s pay transparency ordinance, the expected salary range for this Cleveland, Ohio position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with Columbus’s pay transparency ordinance, the expected salary range for this Columbus, Ohio position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with Connecticut’s pay transparency law (Public Act 23-92), the expected salary range for this Connecticut position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with Hawaii’s pay transparency law (Act 197), the expected salary range for this Hawaii position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003, as amended, the expected salary range for this Illinois position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with Jersey City’s pay transparency ordinance, the expected salary range for this Jersey City, New Jersey position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with the Massachusetts Pay Transparency Act, the expected salary range for this Massachusetts position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with Minnesota’s pay transparency law (Minn. Stat. 181.173), the expected salary range for this Minnesota position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with Nevada’s Senate Bill 293, the expected salary range for this Nevada position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act, the expected salary range for this New Jersey position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with the New York City Pay Transparency Law, the expected salary range for this New York City position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

In accordance with Rhode Island’s pay equity and transparency law, the expected salary range for this Rhode Island position is between $145,000 and $200,000.

Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience, geographic location, and other job-related factors as permitted by law. This position qualifies for the benefits below.

The application deadline for this position is January 29, 2027.

Contact Information

If you have questions, please e-mail Brittney Padilla at [e-mail] with “ClientTeam Counsel\" in the subject line. Please note, applications submitted via e-mail will not be considered.

Firm Overview

With more than 1,200 attorneys in 62 offices worldwide, Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management. We handle all types of employment-related legal matters, including traditional labor and employment, workplace safety, employee benefits, and business immigration matters. Guided by our Client Pledge, we focus on understanding clients’ business and objectives, collaborating and anticipating needs, harnessing technology and innovation, communicating effectively, and providing quality representation with exceptional value.

We are fully committed to the importance of diversity within the legal profession, as well as all workplace environments.

Equal Opportunity Employer.