Updated Compensation - Employment Litigation Associate – Mid to Senior Level – Portland

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP seeks a mid to 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 5 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
  
  

Join Us!

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level and be part of a firm where your contributions are recognized and valued, please submit your cover letter addressed to Valerie Hawley, Lawyer Talent Acquisition Specialist; resume; copy of law school transcript; and a writing sample.

We are accepting third party submissions.

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 humanresources@dwt.com .

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The annualized salary range for this position is $ 265,000 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.