Employment Litigation Associate – Mid to Senior Level – Portland

About the Role

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 Davis Wright Tremaine

• 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

Pay

The annualized salary range for this position is $179,000 to $258,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on the candidate’s education, training, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance (with an optional Health Savings Account), dental insurance, vision care, life insurance, and disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Sick leave benefits in accordance with 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
• 11 paid holidays each year
• 401(k) retirement planning
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary benefits including accident, life, disability, long-term care, and pet insurance
• Commuter and transit programs
• Annual discretionary bonus for full-time employees