Employment Counsel - Remote and Reduced Hours

Ogletree Deakins’ Immigration Practice Group; California (MO); Remote; USD 165,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

Ogletree Deakins is seeking an experienced employment attorney for a flexible remote role focusing on full-cycle litigation practice. This position services major clients in California, combining effective legal work with a lower billable hours target than conventional private practice roles. Ideal candidates must be licensed in California with extensive litigation experience, excelling in analytical and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

401(k) plan

Comprehensive health insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Paid parental leave

Annual firm-wide Attorney Retreat

CLE and bar admission expense reimbursement

Competitive annual bonus programs

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant litigation experience.
• Strong analytical and writing skills necessary for legal work.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and collaborate with clients and attorneys.

Responsibilities

• Defending employers in employment litigation and lawsuits.
• Developing defense strategies and managing discovery-related activities.
• Taking and defending depositions, arguing motions, and participating in trials.

Skills

Analytical skills

Writing skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Licensed to practice law in California

Job description

Position Summary

Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, has an opportunity for an experienced employment attorney seeking a role with increased flexibility 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.

Servicing some of the firm’s largest clients in California, this attorney will focus on defending employers in employment litigation, primarily single/multi-plaintiff lawsuits. Core responsibilities will regularly include, but will not be limited to, developing defense strategy, performing legal research, drafting pleadings, managing discovery-related activities (including motion practice), and drafting dispositive motions. This role will be responsible for taking and defending depositions, arguing motions and participating in mediations, trials and other aspects of a lawsuit that require in-person presence.

While this role will not be required to work in-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. Candidates must reside in Southern California.

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

Requirements

• Qualified candidates must reside in and remain actively licensed to practice law in good standing in California.
• Candidates must have 7+ years of relevant litigation experience, either in-house or at a law firm.
• 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.

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

Benefits

In accordance with California’s amended labor code as stated in Senate Bill 1162, the expected salary range for this California position is between $165,000 and $181,500 . 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.

Ogletree Deakins offers a robust suite of benefits for our attorneys including: 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, and 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, and a paid parental leave on-ramping program.

Contact Information

If you have questions, please e-mail Erika Heyder-Seeley at [e-mail] with “Employment Counsel - Remote" 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 59 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.