Employment Litigation Associate – Senior Level – Portland

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 150,000 - 315,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision care

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP seeks a senior level associate to join its Employment Services practice in Portland. The attorney will work with a collaborative team of employment litigators advising and representing employers in complex workplace disputes and counseling matters, with substantial responsibility and direct client interaction.

Requirements include a JD, admission to practice, and a minimum of 8 years of employment litigation experience. Oregon bar admission is preferred.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Strong research, writing, and oral advocacy abilities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Represent employers in state and federal employment litigation matters, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, leave, wrongful termination, and restrictive covenant disputes.
• Manage cases through all phases of litigation, including pleadings, written discovery, depositions, motions practice, mediations, arbitrations, and trial preparation.
• Draft persuasive motions, briefs, and other litigation-related filings.
• Conduct legal research and provide strategic analysis on employment law issues.
• Advise clients on day-to-day employment counseling matters and risk mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with colleagues across offices and practice groups on sophisticated and fast-paced matters.
• Participate in business development and client relationship initiatives.
• Mentor junior attorneys and contribute to a positive team culture.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral advocacy

Legal research

Legal writing

Client service

Education

JD from an accredited law school

Job description

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP seeks a senior level associate to join its robust Employment Services practice. The associate will work closely with a collaborative team of employment litigators advising and representing employers in a broad range of complex workplace disputes and counseling matters. This role offers substantial responsibility, direct client interaction, and opportunities to contribute to high-profile matters for regional and national clients across multiple industries.

Responsibilities

• Represent employers in state and federal employment litigation matters, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, leave, wrongful termination, and restrictive covenant disputes
• Manage cases through all phases of litigation, including pleadings, written discovery, depositions, motions practice, mediations, arbitrations, and trial preparation
• Draft persuasive motions, briefs, and other litigation-related filings
• Conduct legal research and provide strategic analysis on employment law issues
• Advise clients on day-to-day employment counseling matters and risk mitigation strategies
• Collaborate with colleagues across offices and practice groups on sophisticated and fast-paced matters
• Participate in business development and client relationship initiatives
• Mentor junior attorneys and contribute to a positive team culture

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school
• Admission to practice in the relevant U.S. jurisdiction
• Minimum 8 years of employment litigation experience at a law firm, government agency, or in-house legal department
• Strong experience handling employment-related disputes in state and federal courts
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills
• Experience taking and defending depositions, drafting dispositive motions, and managing discovery
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a collaborative environment
• Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to client service
• Oregon bar admission preferred or willingness to seek admission promptly

Why DWT

• Work alongside experienced trial attorneys on a team known for taking cases to trial when needed and securing favorable outcomes for clients, giving associates meaningful exposure to high-stakes litigation and courtroom advocacy
• Direct client exposure and meaningful responsibility
• Collegial, team-oriented environment with strong mentorship
• Opportunity to work on sophisticated employment matters for leading employers
• Collaborative culture that values innovation, inclusion, and professional growth
• Commitment to attorney development and advancement
• Platform to build strong client relationships and develop business generation skills
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The annualized salary range for this position is $ ,000 to $315,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on the candidate’s education, training, experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Core Benefits: Full-time employees may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance (with an optional Health Savings Account), dental insurance, vision care, life insurance, and disability.

Paid Time Off (PTO): Full-time employees receive sick leave benefits in accordance with the appropriate state Sick & Safe Leave Policy . Attorneys generally take approximately three weeks of vacation annually, though the exact amount may vary depending on client and firm needs. The firm also provides 11 paid holidays each year.

Additional Programs: Employees may participate in 401(k) retirement planning, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Available voluntary benefits include accident, life, disability, long-term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and transit programs are also available. Full-time employees may also be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. It brings out the best of what each individual has to offer and inspires us to build strong and lasting connections with each other, our clients, and our communities.

We are committed to creating and cultivating a diverse workforce and inclusive environment where every employee has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is our policy to hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all employment-related decisions without regard to an employee’s sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), race, color, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religion, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by applicable local, state, or federal laws.

Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons. If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email [e-mail] .