Litigation Associate

Position Summary

Our Washington, D.C., office has an opportunity for a mid-level litigation associate to join the firm’s nationally recognized practice, advising premier local and national employers on labor and employment matters and representing them in related litigation and disputes. This is an excellent opportunity for associates with an ownership mentality to assume a leading role in providing superior legal services to sophisticated employers in all aspects of labor and employment law.

This role requires extensive contact with clients, governmental agencies, and opposing counsel. Successful candidates will have significant experience in federal employment litigation.

Duties include, but are not limited to developing case strategy, motions practice, drafting dispositive briefs and pleadings, handling discovery-related activities, taking and defending depositions, making court appearances, appearing at arbitrations and mediations, responding to EEOC charges, whistle blower complaints, demand letters, and arbitration demands, drafting position statements, preparing settlement agreements, separation and retention agreements, and other employment-related agreements, monitoring new legislation and regulatory guidance, preparing client updates and blogposts, and counseling clients on workplace policies and practices.

The right candidate will have a passion for excellence, a desire to practice in management-side employment law, strong writing/drafting skills, strong analytical and communication skills, superior organizational and time management skills, and an ability to relate to and inspire confidence in savvy business clients. This is a great opportunity for the right lawyer to join a top national employment law practice in a tight-knit and team-oriented environment.

Our office is collegial with a commitment to mutual respect in the workplace. We make attorney development a priority and provide ongoing writing, publishing, and speaking opportunities as well as access to expansive professional development training programs and opportunities to work with and be mentored by the leading attorneys in this field.

We are fully committed to the importance of diversity within the legal profession, as well as all workplace environments, and strongly encourage the interest of diverse candidates in the firm.

• Juris Doctor. Qualified candidates must be and remain licensed to practice law and in good standing in both DC and Virginia. During employment, must meet requirements for continuing licensure for law practice.
• Candidates must possess 4+ years of employment law experience. Substantive knowledge of employment law and significant litigation experience is required.
• We expect this attorney to provide excellent written and analytical work and to contribute to a supportive and cohesive team of talented litigators and counselors.
• This attorney should be highly organized, self‑aware, eager to learn, have strong interpersonal skills, and be comfortable in dealing directly with clients.
• Outstanding academic record preferred (Top 25% of law school class).
• Judicial clerkship experience preferred.

Please note that we are not working with any outside recruiters for this position.

In accordance with the Wage Transparency Omnibus Amendment Act, the expected salary range for this DC position is between $220,000 and $275,000.

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.

If you have questions, please e-mail Ali Gardiner at  with "Employment Litigation Associate – DC" in the subject line. Please note, applications submitted via e-mail will not be considered.

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 and across all workplace environments.

Equal Opportunity Employer.