Senior Counsel, Labor & Employment

Job Summary

Provide legal advice and counsel related to employment and labor law matters for all domestic business units; serve as business partner to internal HR professionals.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide daily advice and support to Corporate and business unit HR personnel on various employment and labor law and compliance matters, including, without limitation, recruiting and hiring practices, onboarding of new employees, employee disputes and investigations, disciplinary actions, performance management, policies and procedures, leaves of absence and medical/disability issues, wage and hour and wage payment, government audits and requests for information, employee forms and communications, reductions in force, termination decisions, severance and settlement agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, agreements with employees and third-party vendors, etc.
• Support strategic initiatives of the Corporate and business unit HR organizations; monitor and assess impact of legal developments and emerging HR issues and partner with Corporate and business unit HR personnel to develop and implement appropriate action plans. 
• Work closely with Corporate and business unit HR personnel to investigate and respond to certain administrative agency and other employment-related claims.
• Provide advice and support to Corporate and business unit HR personnel on equity, health and welfare, retirement and other plans and benefits issues, including coordination with outside counsel, review, and negotiation of contracts with third-party providers, preparation and review of plan amendments and interpretation of plan documents.   
• Develop, update, and maintain employee handbooks and other HR policies and procedures.  Manage internal/external review of training programs relating to employment, labor law and HR topics, including advice on content and delivery of related employee training materials.
• Provide employment and labor law advice and support to Corporate Development, HR, and operations personnel with respect to potential business acquisitions.
• Provide advice and support to business unit HR and operations personnel in union-related matters, including union avoidance strategies, collective bargaining agreement administration and negotiation, and management of grievances and arbitrations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Broad general knowledge of federal and state employment law; familiarity with California employment law a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Superior business partnering skills.
• Practical, business-focused perspective, able to assess risks and identify potential issues.
• Strong initiative and work ethic, able to multitask and work independently.

Education and Experience

• JD from an accredited Law School.
• 10+ years’ experience.
• Admission to state legal bar.
• Satisfaction of Continuing Legal Education requirements.
• Prior in-house experience strongly preferred.