Mid-Senior Level Employment Litigation Associate

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP in Portland, OR seeks an experienced employment litigation associate to handle complex workplace disputes in state and federal court. You will manage depositions, draft dispositive motions, oversee discovery, and advise clients on risk mitigation across industries.

This role offers direct client interaction, substantial responsibility, mentoring of junior attorneys, and opportunities for business development within a collaborative, courtroom‑focused team.

Qualifications

• Experience with employment-related disputes in state and federal courts.
• Ability to handle depositions and dispositive motions.
• Experience managing discovery and counseling clients.

Responsibilities

• Represent employers in state and federal employment litigation.
• Manage cases through all litigation phases, including depositions and motions.
• Advise on day-to-day employment counseling and risk mitigation.
• Mentor junior attorneys and support business development.

Skills

Employment litigation

Depositions

Dispositive motions

Discovery management

Client interaction

Education

Bar admission (Oregon preferred)

Job description

Overview

• The practice advises and represents employers in a broad range of complex workplace disputes and counseling matters, serving regional and national clients across multiple industries.
• Responsibilities include representing employers in state and federal employment litigation (discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, leave, wrongful termination, restrictive covenants), managing cases through all litigation phases, and advising on day-to-day employment counseling and risk mitigation strategies.
• The role requires strong experience handling employment-related disputes in state and federal courts, including taking and defending depositions, drafting dispositive motions, and managing discovery.
• The firm's team is known for taking cases to trial when needed and securing favorable outcomes, offering associates meaningful exposure to high-stakes litigation and courtroom advocacy.
• Associates will have opportunities for substantial responsibility, direct client interaction, business development, and mentoring junior attorneys.
• Oregon bar admission is preferred or a willingness to seek admission promptly is required.