Sr. Counsel, Employment Law

Overview

A large community of veterinary hospitals operating nearly 1,000 locations across North America is seeking a seasoned and practical litigator and leader with significant employment law experience. This role involves providing daily advice and counsel on litigation and employment matters, partnering cross-functionally across the Legal and Compliance Team to ensure best practices and policy implementation. The organization supports over 35,000 employees across 50 states and Canada.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement best practices, standard operating procedures, and training programs in collaboration with functional leaders and business units.
• Provide expert employment advice and counsel to HR and Operations partners on employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits, and compliance with employment laws.
• Support the employment agreement team to ensure compliance with legal requirements and company policies.
• Analyze complex legal issues promptly and provide practical solutions aligned with business objectives to mitigate legal risks.
• Manage employment and other corporate and civil litigation, including responding to administrative charges, conducting internal investigations, coordinating with external counsel, and representing the organization in mediations, arbitrations, and court proceedings.
• Develop and implement strategies to minimize litigation risks and resolve disputes efficiently.
• Stay current on changes in employment laws and regulations to ensure company policies and practices remain compliant.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and update employment-related policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and active membership in a state bar association.
• Minimum of 8 years practicing employment law, including litigation, with experience supporting multi-site operations across jurisdictions, HR counseling, and litigation management.
• Experience in a corporate legal department or law firm specializing in employment law preferred.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations; multi-state experience is beneficial.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proven ability to deliver pragmatic solutions to novel legal issues and resolve disputes effectively.
• Curiosity about the business and willingness to handle a variety of litigation, employment, and general counsel matters.
• Interest in building strong cross-functional relationships.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $158,000 - $195,000 annually.
• Eligibility for short and long-term incentives.

Location

• This position supports operations across the United States and Canada.