If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are achievement, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Human Resources department in our Chicago or Washington D.C. office as an In-House Labor and Employment Counsel.

The In-House Labor and Employment Counsel works with HR and firm leadership to provide attorney-client privileged legal advice to the HR team, including advising on HR best practices from a legal perspective for the US offices. Areas of focus for providing legal advice and guidance regarding compliance obligations will include, but not be limited to, lawyer & business services staff performance management, employee communications, policies and practices, severance and separation/release agreements, employment agreements, leaves of absence program, compliance with OFCCP and other state and federal contracting requirements, compliance with state reporting requirements regarding diversity, legal compliance, pay transparency, mandatory leave laws and any other federal, state or local laws that may come into effect. Day to day legal advice will include advising practice / department leaders on attorney and business services staff employee matters.

This position will work with the firm’s General Counsel’s team including Employment Counsel and provide strong support to the legal team and guidance to the HR team with respect to responding to discovery and information requests, defending employment claims or litigation matters, government audits wage gap analysis, and other potential dispute or enforcement matters, including cross-border matters from time to time. 

The In-House Labor and Employment Counsel works with HR and firm leadership to provide attorney-client privileged legal advice to the HR team, including advising on HR best practices from a legal perspective for the US offices. Areas of focus for providing legal advice and guidance regarding compliance obligations will include, but not be limited to, lawyer & business services staff performance management, employee communications, policies and practices, severance and separation/release agreements, employment agreements, leaves of absence program, compliance with OFCCP and other state and federal contracting requirements, compliance with state reporting requirements regarding diversity, legal compliance, pay transparency, mandatory leave laws and any other federal, state or local laws that may come into effect. Day to day legal advice will include advising practice / department leaders on attorney and business services staff employee matters.

This position will work with the firm’s General Counsel’s team including Employment Counsel and provide strong support to the legal team and guidance to the HR team with respect to responding to discovery and information requests, defending employment claims or litigation matters, government audits wage gap analysis, and other potential dispute or enforcement matters, including cross-border matters from time to time. 

Essential Functions:

• Serve as internal expert on all US labor and employment laws, including communicating employment policies and agreements
• Provide legal advice on the application of US labor and employment laws to HR professionals and Firm Management, including General Counsel and Employment Counsel
• Research and advise on legal developments and prepare responsive alerts, policies and protocols
• for HR professionals and HR Compliance team members  
• Advise HR professionals on drafting non-standard employment terms for HR transactions such as offers, transfers, secondments, partner transitions, alternative work schedules, contracts, documents, etc. that contain employment terms sections
• Counsel on discipline and terminations, leaves of absences, accommodations, wage and hour compliance, EEO matters, and separation agreements
• Work with Firm’s employment counsel on employment litigation matters involving employees
• Partner with HR professionals and Legal Risk Management where appropriate
• Consult with Learning & Development team and HR professionals to run required trainings
• Provide legal advice to HR subject matter expert on developing and implementing protocols to monitor and ensure compliance of Firm employment and benefit policies and procedures with Federal and State laws and regulations such as OFCCP reporting and Department of Labor requirements
• Provide legal advice to HR subject matter experts on evaluation of topics such as pay equity and pay transparency, including directing external statistical experts
• Provide guidance on background check issues and compliance with client requirements
• Provide legal advice to HR team and partner with Legal Risk Management team and Firm Management to mitigate Employment law related legal risks for the firm, its lawyers and business services staff
• Perform other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives

Education/Training/Certifications: 

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school in U.S., required
• Admission as a current member in good standing of a State Bar where the position is to be located, required

Professional Experience: 

• Minimum of 8 years of labor & employment experience, required  
• Experience with employee investigations, employment litigation, and dispute resolution, required
• Deep expertise in EEO laws, wage and hour laws, union-related laws, OSHA, FMLA, ADA, OFCCP and Affirmative Action plans, pay transparency laws, employee data privacy laws, state and local leave laws, other federal, state and local laws affecting employer obligations to employees, partners, and independent contractors, required
• Understanding of federal and state regulatory agencies, required

Technical Skills: 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, required

Performance Traits: 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Creative problem-solving ability with a focus on achieving business-friendly solutions while managing risk
• Solid commercial judgment, including the ability to anticipate, analyze, and make recommendations
• Willingness to take ownership and responsibility for making legal decisions
• Good business acumen and familiarity with US labor & employment law
• Able to proactively identify and escalate potential legal and business risks to colleagues in the organization and craft effective solutions
• Knowledge of global laws and other regulations pertaining to labor & employment law

Physical Requirements:

• May require occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs.
• May require travel to other offices as needed

About Mayer Brown LLP

Mayer Brown LLP is a leading global law firm with offices in 26 key business centers across the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. We are a collegial, collaborative and diverse firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support and development they need to grow, thrive and realize their greatest potential. If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are achievement, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401 (k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran

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