Overview
A mortgage banking firm established in 1960 is seeking a Senior Corporate Counsel specializing in Labor and Employment law. This role provides legal advice and support to the Legal and Human Resources departments, focusing on employment law compliance, workforce management, workplace investigations, contract negotiation, and risk management. The position requires independent legal judgment and collaboration with various internal teams to mitigate risk and support organizational goals.
Responsibilities
- Provide legal counsel on federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including FLSA, ADA, FMLA, EEO, OSHA, Title VII, ADEA, and PWFA.
- Advise on compliance strategies to reduce organizational risk.
- Analyze legislation and review company policies.
- Guide employee relations matters such as disciplinary actions, performance management, terminations, reductions in force, and workplace conflicts.
- Advise on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and misconduct complaints.
- Review workplace investigations and recommend corrective actions.
- Manage legal escalations and provide practical solutions balancing legal risk and business objectives.
- Support workforce changes including reorganizations, reductions in force, mergers, and acquisitions.
- Review and negotiate separation agreements, release agreements, and severance programs.
- Advise on employee classification, wage and hour compliance, overtime, and pay practices.
- Provide guidance on ADA accommodations, FMLA, state leave programs, pregnancy accommodations, disability management, and other protected leave issues.
- Participate in legal proceedings, trial preparation, discovery, and negotiations related to employment disputes.
- Manage employment-related claims, agency charges, demand letters, and litigation matters.
- Coordinate with outside counsel on employment disputes and litigation.
- Draft and negotiate employment-related agreements including employment contracts, executive agreements, offer letters, severance agreements, and independent contractor agreements.
- Review and negotiate HR-related vendor contracts such as benefits providers, recruiting agencies, contingent workforce vendors, HR technology platforms, and background screening providers.
- Develop and maintain standard employment contract templates and legal provisions.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments impacting vendor relationships and third-party workforce arrangements.
- Support additional legal department initiatives and special projects as assigned.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and Bachelor's degree or relevant college courses/technical training in Business, Finance, Legal, or related fields; a combination of education and experience may substitute for the Bachelor's degree.
- Minimum of five years of labor and employment law experience, preferably advising employers.
- Admission to a state bar in good standing.
- Experience supporting Human Resources functions in a corporate environment.
- Knowledge of multi-state employment law compliance.
- Prior in-house counsel experience preferred.
- Ability to exercise independent legal judgment and discretion.
- Experience conducting or advising on workplace investigations.
- Experience managing agency charges, employment litigation, and outside counsel.
- Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment skills.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with leaders at all levels.
- High degree of discretion and ability to manage confidential information.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, collaborative cloud-based programs, and third-party software applications.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Compensation & Benefits
- Exempt position with a targeted salary range of $154,000 to $202,000 annually.
- Compensation influenced by factors including local and federal minimum wage requirements, education, experience, and geographic location.
- Benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, long-term disability, and 401(k) with employer match.
Location & Work Environment
- Primarily sedentary work in an office setting.
- Ability to operate standard office equipment.
- Work performed Monday through Friday during business hours.
- Moderate office noise with no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
- Requires effective adaptation to workplace stressors including customer service complaints and competing priorities.
Additional Information
- The role involves significant independent action with broad direction.
- Decisions have a major impact on strategic and operational outcomes.
- Must adhere to established protocols and apply them in a timely manner.
- Equal Opportunity Employer.