Global Legal Counsel - Litigation - Associate Director

Ernst & Young; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 210,000 - 406,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services firm is looking for an attorney in Birmingham to manage litigation and regulatory matters. The role requires significant experience in trial preparation and excellent communication skills. Ideal candidates will have over 8 years of legal experience, a law degree from a top school, and the ability to handle complex legal issues. This position promises a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive compensation and benefits package

Medical and dental coverage

Pension and 401(k) plans

Paid time off options

Qualifications

• Experience as an attorney with significant litigation experience.
• 8+ years as a practicing attorney, ideally in a law firm or corporate legal department.
• Requires active license as an attorney where EY is located.

Responsibilities

• Handle various litigation and internal investigations.
• Advise on cross-border issues impacting EY.
• Coordinate regulatory responses and compliance.

Skills

Analytical abilities

Excellent verbal and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation skills

Proactive attitude

Cultural awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college

Law degree from a top law school

Job description

Responsibilities

• Handle all aspects of various litigation, enforcement matters and investigations, and internal investigations
• Advise and assist on matters involving cross-border issues or which could have a significant financial or reputational impact to EY
• Consult with partners and other stakeholders on potential or threatened litigation to avoid significant civil, criminal, or regulatory exposure
• Coordinate responses to regulatory subpoenas and preservation requests by determining the appropriate custodians, drafting the preservation notice, and ensuring compliance
• Advise on issues of professional responsibility and risk management, such as client acceptance and continuances, conflicts of interest, document retention, independence, professional standards and guidance, restatements, special investigations, and discovery of financial statement errors or potential client fraud
• Formulate defense strategies and other tactical decisions in potential or active litigation matters involving EY and consult on defense strategies with relevant stakeholders
• Work with outside counsel and actively manage outside counsel spend to ensure resources are appropriately spent
• Conduct interviews of potential expert witnesses and current or former personnel in connection with litigation or other matters
• Participate in mediations and other settlement negotiations to resolve disputes in a cost-effective manner
• Participate in preparing key documents in litigation, including legal briefs, pleadings, and discovery requests
• Participate in preparing witnesses for testimony
• Develop and recommend EY policy and positions on legal issues

Qualifications

• Experience as an attorney with significant litigation, including trial and related experience
• Exceptionally strong analytical abilities to synthesize facts and law to determine actions
• Understand laws, rules, and applicable to EY and its industry
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to interface and communicate effectively and diplomatically with all levels of EY personnel, including firm leaders and managing partners
• Demonstrated ability to create, plan, and successfully execute projects; the ability to meet multiple deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to manage outside counsel effectively
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited 4‑year college; top of class preferred
• Law degree from a top law school; top of class preferred
• 8+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, preferably in a law firm or corporate legal department
• Requires active license as an attorney to practice law in the location where the resident EY office is located
• Strong team player with excellent negotiation and communication skills and cultural awareness
• Proactive attitude and positive mindset, high degree of emotional intelligence, and demonstrated aptitude for resilience, flexibility, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances and dynamics
• Interest and ability to positively team and collaborate effectively across geographic locations
• Ability to grasp, understand, and effectively articulate and document complex legal and contractual principles

Benefits & Compensation

The compensation ranges below are provided in order to comply with United States pay transparency laws. Other geographies will follow their local salary guidelines, which may not be a direct conversion of published US salary ranges. At EY, we’ll develop you with future‑focused skills and equip you with world‑class experiences. We'll empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams.

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business. The base salary range for this job in all geographic locations in the US is $210,900 to $406,000. The base salary range for New York City Metro Area, Washington State and California (excluding Sacramento) is $253,100 to $461,400. Individual salaries within those ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills and geography. In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options.

About EY

EY | Building a better working world. EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi‑disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.