Contract CA Employment Litigation Attorney

About the role

The attorney owns end to end management of California employment litigation matters assigned through the DWTSurge alternative track program. The selected contract attorney drafts motions, responses, and discovery documents while conducting factual investigations and legal research. This role owns client communication and coordinates directly with internal teams and opposing counsel to advance litigation objectives. The attorney prepares and files pleadings, manages document production, and supports trial and deposition preparation as needed. The role involves negotiating settlements, evaluating case risks, and implementing defense strategies for employment disputes. The attorney ensures compliance with California procedural rules and court deadlines while maintaining strict confidentiality. The role concludes by preparing final court filings and documenting case progress for client and firm review.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Draft pleadings, motions, and discovery requests tailored to California employment litigation cases.
• Conduct legal research and synthesize case law to support complex employment disputes.
• Manage single plaintiff litigation and PAGA or class action matters from filing through resolution.
• Communicate with clients to gather facts, clarify issues, and provide updates on case developments.
• Coordinate with opposing counsel and stakeholders during meet and confer sessions.
• Organize and oversee document collection, review, and production in litigation matters.
• Monitor court deadlines and ensure compliance with procedural requirements.
• Evaluate case risks and recommend strategic approaches to defense and settlement.
• Prepare summary judgment motions and trial support materials as necessary.
• Maintain detailed case files and track key dates for multiple concurrent matters.
• Assist with trial preparation, including witness preparation and exhibit organization.
• Draft correspondence and legal memoranda for clients and firm stakeholders.
• Collaborate with support staff to meet firm objectives and client expectations.

Requirements

• 5+ years of employment litigation experience in a mid-large law firm or in-house setting.
• Residency and active bar admission in California.
• Strong experience managing employment defense, single plaintiff, and PAGA or class action litigation cases.
• A demonstrated understanding of California and federal employment laws and regulations.
• Experience representing client interests when meeting and conferring with various stakeholders, including opposing counsel.
• Strong legal research skills.
• Excellent legal drafting and communication skills, including oral and written advocacy.
• Ability to distill research into meaningful and persuasive written work product.
• High-level of responsiveness and client service abilities.
• Availability to work from 20-40 hours per week and maintain PST business hours.
• Flexibility for anticipated hours to fluctuate as needed.
• Ability to work remotely and quickly handle high volume litigation matters.
• Excellent writing skills, strong attention to detail, and ability to produce high quality work product with minimal supervision.
• Excellent proactive communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain effective working relationships and communicate verbally and in writing with clients, firm members, and other business contacts.

Practical notes

• This is a temporary contract position managed through DWT's DWTSurge program.
• The role offers fully remote work with an anticipated commitment of 20-40 hours per week.
• Hours may fluctuate depending on the availability of appropriate work.
• The contract is anticipated to start as soon as possible and end in late February or early March 2026.
• There is a possibility of extension or renewal of the contract for successful candidates, although any extension or renewal is not guaranteed.
• Compensation is paid on an hourly basis, commensurate with experience and skill level, within the range of $130 to $160 per hour in California.
• This role is not eligible for benefits.
• DWTSurge employees are not eligible for the firm's pro bono, DEI, and other activities or opportunities outside of the above stated scope of work.
• To apply, send your resume and cover letter to DWTSurge Recruiter, Zoë Melcher, at zoemelcher@dwt.com.
• The firm is currently not accepting third party submissions for this opportunity.

Additional benefits include

• First Stop Health Telemedicine: Speak with a licensed physician or mental health counselor 24/7, covered by the firm.
• TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program: Receive support with mental, financial, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
• Voluntary Pet Insurance.
• Milk Stork: Virtual lactation consulting, breast milk shipping and nutritional testing covered by the firm.

Wellness Benefits

• Peloton App.
• Headspace App.

Washington State and California State

• Paid sick leave is accrued on a biweekly basis at a rate of 1 hour per 30 hours worked.

Equal opportunity and diversity commitment

• Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workforce.
• The firm fosters a culture where all individuals can succeed and see paths to advancement.
• The firm requests voluntary demographic data to support DEI efforts, which is stored securely and not shared with hiring decision-makers.
• The firm hires, promotes, and makes employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.
• Labor Condition Applications for specialty occupation petitions are displayed electronically in accordance with notice requirements.