Overview
This role involves serving as Corporate Counsel – Employment & Litigation, providing legal support within the HR and Legal teams. The position reports in a matrix structure to senior HR and legal leaders and focuses on employment law advice, litigation management, compliance programs, and risk mitigation related to employment practices.
Responsibilities
- Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice on federal, state, local, and international employment law issues covering the full employment cycle.
- Collaborate with HR leaders and teams domestically and internationally to assess and improve employment practices, compliance, policies, and training.
- Advise on legal risks related to reorganizations, employee terminations, and other employment actions.
- Manage employment litigation matters, including responding to demand letters, negotiating claim resolutions, overseeing outside counsel, coordinating with business units and insurance carriers, and recommending corrective actions.
- Draft and review employment-related agreements such as employment contracts, restrictive covenants, and release agreements to ensure enforceability and alignment with organizational values.
- Support review of vendor agreements related to employment operations in cooperation with the legal team.
- Develop and deliver legal training on employment law and compliance for HR and business partners.
- Provide counsel on employment law matters during corporate transactions including mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, joint ventures, and international expansion.
- Stay current on employment law changes across multiple jurisdictions and implement necessary updates.
- Select and manage outside employment legal counsel and oversee related expenditures.
- Support compliance and ethics initiatives including investigations and audits.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and active membership in good standing with at least one state bar.
- Minimum of six years of experience in employment law and litigation, preferably with a combination of law firm and in-house experience.
- Proven experience managing employment litigation, including outside counsel and litigation budgets.
- Strong knowledge of employment laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, and Fair Labor Standards Act, with willingness to learn applicable international laws.
- Experience with performance management strategies, workplace investigations, and HR practices.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills with internal clients, external organizations, and outside counsel.
- Discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential information.
- Strong critical reasoning and problem-solving skills focused on conflict resolution.
- Willingness and ability to mentor and train others.
- Proficiency or ability to learn AI tools to improve efficiency and outcomes.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $145,800 - $180,000 USD (may vary by experience and location).
- Health benefits including medical, prescription, dental, vision, and telehealth.
- Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts.
- 401(k) and Roth 401(k) plans with company match.
- Paid vacation, sick time, and 12 paid holidays.
- Parental leave totaling 20 weeks, with 14 weeks paid, plus Milk Stork program.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Life and disability insurance.
- Well-being and employee assistance programs.
Location
This position is based in the United States. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. Sponsorship for employment visas is not available.
Equal Opportunity
The employer is an equal opportunity organization and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.
Reasonable accommodations are provided for qualified individuals with disabilities during the application and interview process.