1

Litigation Associate Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Labor & Employment Associate

Aurora, CO · On-site

$195K - $245K/yr

Direct Counsel is partnering with a leading national labor & employment firm to add a Litigation Associate to its Denver office. This is a strong opportunity for an attorney who enjoys high-stakes ...

Civil Litigation Attorney

Denver, CO · On-site

$100K - $185K/yr

Collaborate with partners, associates, and support staff to achieve successful case outcomes ... Minimum 3 years of civil litigation experience required * 5+ years of litigation experience ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Litigation Associate information

See Colorado salary details

$37.3K

$145.4K

$225.6K

How much do litigation associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for litigation associate in Colorado is $145,400.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,400.00 and $173,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Litigation Associate vs Litigation Attorney?

AspectLitigation AssociateLitigation Attorney
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), Bar AdmissionJuris Doctor (JD), Bar Admission
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departmentsLaw firms, corporate legal departments
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in law firms and corporate legal teamsUsed interchangeably with Litigation Associate, more formal
Search & Comparison IntentHigh overlap, often compared for career progression

While both Litigation Associates and Litigation Attorneys hold similar credentials and work in comparable environments, the term Litigation Associate is often used for early-career roles within law firms or corporate legal teams. Litigation Attorneys may be a broader or more formal designation, but in many contexts, they are interchangeable. The key difference lies in the job title's usage rather than responsibilities or qualifications.

What does a litigation associate do?

A litigation associate is a lawyer who assists with preparing and managing legal cases in court. They conduct research, draft legal documents, analyze evidence, and support senior attorneys throughout the litigation process, often using legal research tools and adhering to deadlines.

What is the lowest position in a law firm?

The lowest position in a law firm is typically a legal assistant or legal secretary, responsible for administrative tasks and supporting attorneys. Entry-level roles such as clerks or interns may also be considered initial positions for those starting their legal careers.

Is an associate still a lawyer?

A litigation associate is a lawyer who works under the supervision of partners in a law firm, handling cases, research, and client interactions. Being an associate confirms that they are licensed attorneys practicing law within their jurisdiction. The title indicates a legal professional actively practicing law, often with responsibilities that develop skills for partnership or senior roles.

What are some typical challenges Litigation Associates face when managing multiple cases simultaneously?

Litigation Associates often juggle several cases at once, which requires strong organizational and time management skills. Balancing competing deadlines for court filings, discovery, and client communications can be challenging, especially during peak litigation periods. Associates must also coordinate with partners, paralegals, and opposing counsel, making effective communication crucial. Developing systems to prioritize tasks and manage workload efficiently is key to success in this fast-paced environment.

What is a career in litigation?

A career in litigation involves representing clients in legal disputes, including preparing cases, conducting research, and advocating in court. Litigation associates typically work for law firms or corporate legal departments, requiring strong analytical, research, and communication skills, often with a focus on trial preparation and legal strategy.

What is a Litigation Associate?

A Litigation Associate is a junior attorney who works at a law firm or legal department, primarily handling cases that involve disputes between parties. They assist with tasks such as legal research, drafting pleadings and motions, managing discovery, and representing clients in court under the supervision of more senior attorneys. Litigation Associates often work on a variety of cases, including civil, commercial, and sometimes criminal matters, and are responsible for keeping cases on track and supporting clients throughout the litigation process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Litigation Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Litigation Associate, you need strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills, typically supported by a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and bar admission. Familiarity with legal research databases such as Westlaw or LexisNexis and proficiency in case management software are essential. Exceptional communication, attention to detail, and the ability to manage time effectively distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for building persuasive cases, meeting tight deadlines, and achieving successful outcomes for clients in a competitive legal environment.
What are the most commonly searched types of Litigation jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Litigation jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Litigation Associate jobs in Colorado? For Litigation Associate jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Litigation Associate jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Litigation Associate jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Litigation Associate jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Litigation Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Litigation Associate job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,400 per year, or $69.9 per hour.

Wage & Hour Litigation Associate or Of Counsel - Denver, CO

Plug Legal

Denver, CO • On-site

$195K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Wage & Hour Defense · 4+ Years Experience · Colorado Bar Required

The Denver office of a premier, nationally recognized labor and employment defense firm is expanding its Wage & Hour Litigation team. This role is designed for a mid-to-senior level attorney who wants immediate, substantive client-facing responsibility and a sophisticated class-action platform, without the institutional bureaucracy that often stalls professional growth.

-

The Work

You will step directly into high-stakes, multi-jurisdiction wage and hour class and collective actions under the FLSA and the Colorado Wage Act. This is not a back-room research role. You will be primary on:

  • Developing defense strategies for complex regulatory challenges and handling interpretations of CDLE and USDOL regulations.
  • Drafting and arguing critical motions, with a specific focus on class decertification strategies.
  • Taking and defending key depositions and managing complex discovery workflows.

Note on Track: The firm is focused on finding the right procedural talent. While this position sits on a clear partnership trajectory, the firm is entirely open to structuring a non-partner track arrangement for the right candidate seeking long-term predictability.

Who This Is For

You are an L&E attorney with at least four years of deep wage and hour litigation experience who is ready to transition from a supporting player to a lead strategist.

Widening the Funnel: The firm recognizes that excellent complex litigation skills are transferable. If you are a high-performing commercial litigator with substantial experience handling class actions, multi-district litigation (MDL), or complex statutory claims, and you have a genuine interest in pivoting into a dedicated management-side wage and hour practice, your background is highly relevant to this search.

The Platform

This firm offers the best of both worlds: the financial backing, resources, and national caseload of an elite labor and employment powerhouse, paired with the nimble, high-autonomy culture of a rapidly growing Denver office. It is an environment built for attorneys who prefer execution over red tape.

Why Denver

Denver remains one of the country's most dynamic legal markets, particularly for wage and hour defense given Colorado's distinct, evolving regulatory landscape. You get top-tier national deal and litigation flow within a market that genuinely respects life outside the office.

Compensation and Benefits

In compliance with local transparency standards, the base salary range for this position is $195,000 – $230,000, unpinned to a specific class year to allow for flexibility based on your exact depth of experience, skills, and internal equity.

The firm provides a comprehensive, tier-standard benefits package including:

  • Full medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Generous paid time off and paid parental leave
  • 401(k) retirement plan with profit-sharing contributions
  • Life and long-term disability insurance, plus an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Optional benefits: Student loan refinancing program, dependent life insurance, and pet insurance
Apply in Confidence

This search is being conducted on a strictly confidential basis by an outside search firm. Your current firm will not be contacted, and your materials will never be submitted to the hiring team without your explicit, prior authorization after a formal introductory briefing.

To start a low-friction, confidential conversation about this platform, please reach out to us directly.

Confirm before publishing
  • Inferences Made:
    • Platform/Tier: I categorized the firm as a "premier, nationally recognized labor and employment defense firm." This accurately reflects Fisher Phillips' market position without naming them.
    • Commercial Litigation Pivot: The raw brief does not explicitly state they will take general commercial litigators, but your instructions explicitly command "widen the funnel where the brief allows." Given that wage & hour class action defense relies heavily on class certification mechanics, it is highly adjacent to general complex commercial/MDL litigation.
  • Candidate Promises / Expectations:
    • Substantive Work: The advert promises "immediate, substantive client-facing responsibility." The original text explicitly highlights "client-facing work right away," so this is safe.
    • Non-Partner Track: I preserved this option accurately as a selling point rather than a negative.
  • Anonymity Concerns:
    • Fingerprinting Risk: High. Wage and hour law is specialized. A national L&E powerhouse with a "rapidly growing Denver office" that is currently looking for a Wage & Hour Associate/Of Counsel with a specific salary band of $195k–$230k under the Colorado Equal Pay Act makes Fisher Phillips relatively easy to guess for an astute local candidate. If absolute anonymity is paramount to the client, we should strip the exact salary range and use the qualitative wording option, or soften the descriptor to "a national law firm." Let me know if you would like me to adjust this before you post.