Counsel - Employee/Labor/Benefits

Job Summary

We are hiring a Counsel – Employment, Labor, and Benefits who will be responsible for employment law matters (on behalf of management), employment litigation management and other matters as Counsel may be assigned from time to time.  Dual employment law and traditional labor experience is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Advise corporate and local management on various aspects of workforce development and administration, including hiring, termination, discipline, promotion, employment and compliance policies and procedures, and drug and alcohol policies, programs and testing
• Provide guidance regarding labor and employment law compliance, including FMLA, FLSA, OSHA, EEOC and ADA and state law equivalent laws
• Prepare and otherwise assist on matters related to employment, severance, contractual obligations, and other employee-related agreements
• Conduct internal investigations and provide guidance on investigations conducted by others
• Lead company responses to administrative agency complaints including oversight of internal investigation, interviewing witnesses, gathering documents and drafting employer statements of position
• Maintain current, in-depth knowledge of employment related laws and regulations relevant to the company’s business across a variety of business groups, including corporate, commissioned sales, news, involving exempt and non-exempt, and contractor work groups; conduct legal research and prepare recommendations as appropriate
• Manage high volume of employment litigation and pre-litigation matters
• Manage outside counsel to represent the company on employment litigation matters, including efficient management of employment litigation costs and outside counsel fees
• Oversee and direct outside counsel and insurance adjusters on strategy and case management
• Assist in drafting and review of agency and court documents, including position statements, answers, briefs, motions, settlement agreements, RFI and discovery responses, etc. 
• Provide advice to business units regarding employment litigation issues and risk mitigation strategies
• Ability to perform essential in-office job functions, as required

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from accredited law school with strong academic credentials 
• Member of New York Bar with at least 4 years of employment law experience
• Experience representing clients in employment and traditional labor law matters and in depth knowledge of employment law in law firm or corporate setting.  
• Strong analytical and communication (oral and written), organizational, negotiation and management skills
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with business clients in a collaborative environment to achieve business objectives
• Self-starter with ability to multi-task, ability to handle unanticipated situations effectively and work well under pressure with tight deadlines with minimal supervision
• Adequate professional experience and knowledge to perform Essential Job Responsibilities
• Proficiency in using MS Office Suite and Windows-based computer applications
• Basic understanding of HR use of various HRIS systems a plus