Employment Counsel

Ogletree Deakins’ Immigration Practice Group; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 255,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attorney Retreat

Bar expense reimbursement

Bonus programs

401(k) plan

Health insurance

Dental and vision coverage

Dependent care FSA

Employee assistance program

Back-up childcare

Parental leave

Job summary

Ogletree Deakins’ Denver office seeks an experienced Litigation Attorney to join the Employment Law Practice as Employment Counsel. You will manage matters through resolution, devise strategy, oversee discovery, draft motions, attend court appearances, and assist with trial prep. The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and thrives in a fast-paced team setting.

Focus is on employment litigation defense with strong writing and analytical skills, in a collaborative, client-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor required and licensed to practice law in Colorado.
• 7+ years of Employment Litigation Defense experience preferred.
• Experience handling civil litigation from inception through resolution.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Experience with discovery, motion practice, and depositions; courtroom/arbitration preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of litigation matters from inception through resolution.
• Develop litigation strategy, conduct discovery, and draft substantive motions.
• Attend court appearances and support trial preparation.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Case management

Discovery

Oral advocacy

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

Position Summary

Our Denver office has an opportunity for an experienced litigation attorney to join the firm’s expanding Employment Law Practice. The Employment Counsel will be expected to manage a caseload of litigation matters from inception through resolution while working closely with Shareholders, Counsel, and clients. The role involves handling day-to-day case management, developing litigation strategy, conducting discovery, drafting substantive motions, attending court appearances, and supporting trial preparation. The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. The right candidate will have a passion for employment law, strong analytical and writing skills, and will add their enthusiasm to our affable, team-oriented environment.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor. Qualified candidates must be and remain licensed to practice law in Colorado and in good standing. During employment, you must meet requirements for continuing licensure for law practice.
• 7+ years of Employment Litigation Defense experience is preferred.
• Experience handling civil litigation matters from inception through resolution.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Experience with discovery, motion practice, and depositions.
• Courtroom, mediation, and arbitration experience preferred.

Please note that we are not working with outside recruiters for this position.

Wage Transparency

Anticipated Start Date: January 1, 2027: In accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the expected salary range for this Colorado position is between $255,000 and $300,000. 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. Applications for this position will be accepted through November 30, 2026.

Benefits

• comprehensive training and development programs including an annual firm-wide Attorney Retreat
• CLE and bar admission expense reimbursement
• several competitive annual bonus programs
• 401(k) plan
• affordable health
• life insurance including dental and vision coverage
• flexible spending accounts to help offset the cost of dependent care and/or health care expenses
• employee assistance program
• back-up childcare program
• paid parental leave on-ramping program

Contact Information

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

Firm Overview

Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Best Law Firms® has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for 14 consecutive years. In the 2025 edition, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor and Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 1,100 attorneys located in 60 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, including many of the Fortune 50 companies in the U.S.

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

Equal Opportunity Employer.