Description
This is an exciting opportunity to work for one of the top law firms in the U.S.! Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is looking for a Leave Administrator to join our team in our Seattle, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, or San Francisco offices.
This position offers the flexibility to be fully remote while working within reasonable commuting distance from any of our listed offices.
The Leave Administrator will support the Human Resources (HR) department by managing, administering, and tracking all leaves of absence across the firm. This role ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as firm policies, while maintaining appropriate communication with employees, supervisors, and external stakeholders. This position will work closely with the HR team on other team projects and initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a customer-service mindset to support the leave management process for a sophisticated and high-performing workforce.
At Davis Wright Tremaine, you will find challenging assignments, opportunities for professional growth and community involvement, and a culture of inclusion. DWT fosters inclusiveness and authenticity. Regardless of position, everyone here has a voice and the support is unparalleled.
On a typical day you will:
Leave Administration
Manage all leaves of absence, including but not limited to FMLA, state-protected leaves, parental leave, medical leaves, military leave, and other firm-provided leave programs
Track leave status, deadlines, and required documentation to ensure compliance and reduce risk
Partner with employees and supervisors throughout the leave process, providing guidance and updates on leave requirements and timelines
Calculate state pay leave benefits in combination with paid leave from the firm for semi-monthly and bi-weekly payrolls, update timesheets as needed
Compliance Management
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local leave laws, such as FMLA, ADA, and applicable state-specific leave regulations
Work closely with internal and external legal counsel or leave experts as needed
Maintain documentation and records for all leaves and related communications in accordance with compliance requirements and firm policies
Coordination & Communication
Act as the primary point of contact between employees, Human Resources, Professional Development, Payroll, and external vendors for leave-related inquiries and administration
Partner with HR and department leaders to provide guidance on accommodations and return-to-work strategies
Facilitate clear communication to all stakeholders regarding leave outcomes, responsibilities, and next steps
Documentation & Reporting
Maintain accurate records related to leaves, including required notices, supporting documentation, and correspondence
Create and manage leave reporting and tracking systems, ensuring timely processing and follow-up on outstanding leave-related matters
Handle the uploading and tracking of employee information and documents in HRIS database and document management system (SharePoint)
Administer the Bright Horizons benefits; create and upload monthly employee eligibility file
Assistance with maintenance of HR portal webpage
Reconcile HR expenses in expense management system
HR Department Support
Provide support on HR-related projects, initiatives, and communications, and provide additional assistance to HR Management as assigned
Handle the uploading and tracking of employee information and documents in HRIS database and document management system (SharePoint)
Administer the Bright Horizons benefits; create and upload monthly employee eligibility file
Assistance with maintenance of HR portal webpage
Reconcile HR expenses in expense management system
Respond to employment verifications
Wellness Committee Support
Take minutes at Committee meetings
Organize and schedule Wellness meetings
Design monthly newsletter using Concept software
Assist with the launch and monthly maintenance of staff eligibility files for wellness platforms
Join us if you have:
5+ years of experience in HR, with specific experience in leave administration preferred
Familiarity with the legal services industry or professional services environment is a plus
Experience working with leave management systems or HRIS platforms required; proficiency in Paylocity, or similar systems is strongly preferred
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent relevant work experience)
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES
In-depth understanding of FMLA, ADA, and other key leave legislation, along with the ability to interpret and apply them in a business context
Familiarity with state-specific regulations regarding leaves (e.g., California CFRA, WA PFML)
Understanding of basic payroll processes and their interaction with leave management
Self-motivated with strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing tasks and meet deadlines
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to navigate and lead sensitive, high-impact conversations with empathy, clarity, and professionalism
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and leave management software
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism when working with sensitive employee information
Comfortable navigating complex leave scenarios and effectively communicating recommendations to employees and management
Adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment while maintaining precision and accuracy in work
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and instincts for identifying when to escalate issues to senior HR leadership or legal counsel
Who We Are
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with 11 offices nationwide. We are relentlessly committed to client service and look for candidates who share that commitment. At DWT, client service means having empathy for each client’s and each lawyer’s work and personal pressures, business objectives, and legal needs; anticipating their needs; and having the capabilities and commitment to deliver what matters most to them.
What’s in it For You?
DWT offers competitive compensation in addition to ample benefits including but not limited to:
Choice of health and vision insurance plans
2 paid volunteer days for qualifying community service work
Dental plan
Fertility and adoption benefit
Paid sabbatical after 13 years of service
Tuition reimbursement
Commuter benefits
Retirement contribution
This job description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.
Washington State
The annualized salary range for this position in Washington is $86,000 to $95,000 ($44.10-$48.72 hourly). Actual pay will be adjusted based on the candidate’s education, training, experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. Full time employees may be eligible for a bonus, health insurance with an optional HSA, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, telemedicine and virtual short term solution based counseling services, life insurance, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, subsidized backup care and caregiving resources, 401(k), vacation, sick time, 11 paid holidays each year and an employee assistance program. For full-time employees, the initial vacation benefit is 15 days per year and 11 days of sick leave per year, accrued bi-weekly. Additional voluntary programs include: voluntary accident insurance, voluntary life, voluntary disability, voluntary long term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and Transit programs are also available.
California
The annualized salary range for this position in Los Angeles is $85,000 to $95,000 ($43.59-$48.72 hourly); and in San Francisco is $101,000 to $112,000 ($51.79-$57.44 hourly). Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. Full time employees may be eligible for a bonus, health insurance with an optional HSA, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, telemedicine and virtual short term solution based counseling services, life insurance, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, subsidized backup care and caregiving resources, 401(k), vacation, sick time, and an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary programs include: voluntary accident insurance, voluntary life, voluntary disability, voluntary long term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and Transit programs are also available.
