Overview
This role involves providing strategic, practical legal guidance on employment matters for a growing organization. The Employment Counsel partners closely with Human Resources, business leaders, and senior leadership on complex workforce issues across a geographically diverse workforce. While employment law is the primary focus, approximately 25–30% of the role may involve broader corporate, contractual, and compliance matters.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a trusted legal advisor to Human Resources and business leadership on complex and sensitive employment matters
- Translate evolving federal, state, and applicable Canadian employment requirements into practical, business-focused guidance
- Proactively manage employment risk while supporting an engaging and compliant workplace
- Manage employment disputes, administrative matters, and litigation in partnership with internal stakeholders and outside counsel
- Advise on employment-related needs as the workforce, policies, and employment practices continue to grow and evolve
- Advise on employee relations matters including:
- performance management
- discipline
- accommodations
- terminations
- organizational changes
- workforce planning
- Monitor employment and labor law developments and advise on updates to company policies, handbooks, practices, and employee communications
- Partner with HR on sensitive employee complaints involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and workplace misconduct
- Manage responses to administrative charges and employment claims, including EEOC, state agency, and applicable Canadian matters, and oversee employment litigation with outside counsel
- Draft, review, and negotiate executive employment agreements, severance agreements, releases, restrictive covenants, confidentiality agreements, and other employment-related documents
- Advise on non-compete, non-solicitation, confidentiality, intellectual property, independent contractor, employee privacy, and post-employment obligations
- Counsel Talent Acquisition and HR on employment-related agreements with executive search, staffing, and recruiting partners
- Develop and deliver employment law training and practical guidance for HR professionals, managers, and business leaders
- Advise on employment-related requirements involving prevailing wage, workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, and other workforce compliance matters
- Support the Chief Legal Officer/Ethics Officer and Compliance team on ethics, investigations, policies, and related compliance initiatives
- Collaborate with Legal colleagues on corporate and commercial matters, including project and vendor contract review and broader compliance initiatives
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active admission to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
- 3–8 years of relevant employment law experience; a combination of law firm and in-house experience is preferred
- Strong knowledge of U.S. federal and multi-state employment laws and regulations
- Demonstrated experience advising on employee relations, workplace investigations, administrative charges, and employment litigation
- Experience drafting and negotiating executive employment, severance, restrictive covenant, and other employment-related agreements
- Ability to provide clear, practical, business-oriented legal advice on complex and sensitive matters
- Strong judgment, discretion, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively advise stakeholders at multiple organizational levels
- Ability and interest in supporting general corporate, commercial contract, and compliance matters as business needs require
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with Canadian employment law, particularly Ontario, and cross-border employment arrangements
- Prior in-house legal experience
- Experience supporting a geographically dispersed or multi-state workforce
- Experience within the AEC, engineering, consulting, or broader professional services industry
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $150,000 - $200,000
- Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location
Location
Remote or from one of several office locations.
Additional Information
- Employment status: Full-Time
- Core business hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Criminal background check: The successful completion of a criminal background check is required for all advertised positions.
Fair Chance / Criminal History Notices (California)
- Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
- Applicants in the City of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.
- Applicants in the State of California: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.