Assistant General Counsel - Employment

ACC - Oregon Chapter; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 269,000 - 337,000; Full time

Job summary

Foley Hoag in Boston seeks an Assistant General Counsel – Employment to serve as the firm's primary advisor on labor and employment law, developing internal policies and advising HR and management on employee relations. The role requires strong litigation readiness and cross-functional collaboration.

The position is hybrid, with in-office presence required three days weekly (Tue–Thu). JD from an accredited school and bar admission are required, with 5–7 years' experience in labor and employment

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar status in applicable jurisdictions.
• Minimum 5–7 years of labor and employment law experience advising on policies.
• Strong written and oral communication, discretion, and cross‑functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Advise on compliance with federal, state, and local labor and employment laws.
• Develop and update internal employment policies and handbooks.
• Conduct workplace investigations and advise on disciplinary actions.
• Draft and review employment agreements, settlements, and related documents.
• Coordinate wage/hour compliance, employee classifications, and payroll issues.
• Lead training on employment compliance across jurisdictions.

Skills

Labor and employment law

Workplace investigations

Policy development

Employee relations

Cross-functional collaboration

Legal drafting

Training programs

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Active state bar membership

Job description

Assistant General Counsel – Employment

Boston Office

The Assistant General Counsel – Employment (“AGC”) serves as the Firm's primary legal advisor on labor and employment law matters, with a particular focus on ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state and local employment laws, developing internal employment policies, and partnering with Human Resources and Firm management on employee relations issues. This role is responsible for providing day-to-day counseling on workplace compliance, advising on disciplinary and corrective action matters, and mitigating legal risk arising from employment-related decisions. The AGC will work cross-functionally with Firm management, Human Resources, the Standing Committee, and department managers to promote a legally compliant and fair work environment.

This hybrid role requires an in-office presence at least three days per week to foster collaboration and connection. The onsite expectations are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week.

Employment Counsel Responsibilities

• Advise Firm management and Human Resources on compliance with federal, state, and local labor and employment laws, including Title VII, the ADA, FMLA, FLSA, NLRA, and applicable state/local equivalents.
• Develop, review, and update internal employment policies, procedures, and employee handbooks to ensure legal compliance and alignment with industry best practices.
• Conduct periodic audits of Firm policies and procedures to identify gaps, recommend corrective actions, and oversee implementation of updates.
• Advise and collaborate with Human Resources on all employee relations matters, including workplace investigations, performance management, disciplinary actions, grievances, and terminations.
• Curate and deliver employment-related training; ensure compliance with training requirements in the various jurisdictions in which we operate.
• Provide guidance on accommodation requests, leave administration, and return-to-work issues.
• Draft and review employment agreements, separation agreements, severance packages, and other employment-related documents.
• Advise on wage and hour compliance, classification of employees and independent contractors, and payroll-related legal issues.
• Develop and draft responses to charges filed with the EEOC, state human rights agencies, and other administrative bodies. Coordinate with insurers regarding same.
• Collaborate with the Firm’s Standing Committee on workplace investigations related to harassment, discrimination, and retaliation issues.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments in labor and employment law and communicate potential impacts to Firm leadership.
• Collaborate with outside counsel as needed on complex litigation, arbitration, or regulatory matters.
• Maintain records and documentation related to legal advice, investigations, and policy changes in accordance with the Firm's document retention policies.

Additional Office of the General Counsel Responsibilities (OGC)

• Assist other members of the OGC on various Firm risk matters, including subpoena responses; claims/circumstances; and professional responsibility matters as needed.
• When appropriate, work on billable client related work in area of expertise.
• Comfortable representing the Firm in court, if necessary.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the state bar in the jurisdiction(s) where the Firm operates.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience practicing labor and employment law, with substantial experience advising on workplace policies, employee relations, and other HR compliance matters.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Experience conducting or overseeing workplace investigations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality in sensitive matters.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with HR professionals, management, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience developing and delivering compliance training programs preferred.

Compensation range is $269,000 to $337,000 commensurate with related experience and qualifications. The salary of the candidate selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to internal equity, experience, specialty, and training. The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the Firm's reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

About Foley Hoag

Founded in 1943, Foley Hoag has grown into an award-winning, international law firm that focuses on innovative industries and high-stakes litigation. From our offices in Boston, Washington DC, New York, Denver, and Paris, more than 300 lawyers and 300 professionals in business services exhibit authentic collegiality, genuine respect for each other, and the drive to deliver exceptional client service.