Employment Counsel - Remote and Reduced Hours

Ogletree Deakins; Torrance (CA); Remote; USD 165,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training & development

Attorney Retreat

401(k) plan

Health, life, dental, and vision

Job summary

Ogletree Deakins, a leading labor and employment law firm, seeks an experienced employment attorney for a highly flexible remote role based in Southern California. This position focuses on defending employers in employment litigation with a lower billable target than traditional shareholder-track roles.

Candidates must be licensed in California, have 2+ years of relevant litigation experience, and be able to work independently while maintaining strong collaboration with colleagues.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of litigation experience or in-house litigation work experience.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, strong organizational abilities.
• Ability to multi-task and stay responsive in a remote setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with attorneys and clients.
• Commitment to client service and professional conduct.

Responsibilities

• Defend employers in employment litigation, including single- and multi-plaintiff matters.
• Develop defense strategy, perform legal research, draft pleadings and motions.
• Manage discovery, including motion practice and deposition-related tasks.
• Take and defend depositions, argue motions, and participate in mediations, trials, and related proceedings.
• Work remotely with some in-person obligations and retreats as needed.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Client service

Self-motivation

Accountability

Responsiveness

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

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.

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 the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Requirements

• Qualified candidates must remain actively licensed to practice law in good standing in California and be licensed in the state they reside.
• Candidates must have 2+ 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 Brittney Padilla at [e-mail] with “Employment Counsel - Remote" in the subject line.

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.