Counsel, Labor and Employment Counseling and Litigation

Abbott Laboratories; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 127,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Counsel in Labor & Employment, where you will provide critical legal support and guidance in a dynamic environment. This role involves managing complex litigation, advising on compliance, and collaborating with diverse teams. With a commitment to employee well-being and career development, this position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package. If you are passionate about labor law and want to help shape a positive workplace culture, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Free Medical Coverage

Retirement Savings Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of management-side labor and employment law experience.
• In-house experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on employment and labor law issues.
• Represent Abbott in employment claims and litigation matters.
• Support corporate compliance initiatives.

Skills

Labor Law Counseling

Employment Litigation

Negotiation Skills

Legal Compliance

Education

JD Degree

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Free medical coverage for employees* via the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

Our location in Chicago, IL (Willis Tower) currently has an opportunity for a Counsel, Labor & Employment Counseling & Litigation.

What You’ll Work On

Primary Job Function:

• This position is responsible for providing employment and labor law counseling to Abbott’s diverse global businesses, representing Abbott in employment and labor law administrative matters, and leading complex employment litigation matters on a global basis.
• Candidates with experience managing others and/or leading teams in labor and employment law matters are preferred.

Core Job Responsibilities:

• Represent Abbott before government/administrative agencies in discrimination, wage and other employment claims, and in response to threatened claims
• Provide legal counsel to management regarding all employment and labor law issues, including restrictive covenants
• Provide employment and labor law support on merger and acquisition agreements, due diligence, integration and other business restructuring projects
• Support corporate compliance initiatives
• Provide project direction and supervision of outside counsel on domestic and international matters
• Resolve legal labor and employment issues using negotiation skills and legal expertise
• Develop successful employment litigation strategies
• Supervise and direct outside counsel in execution of strategies in employment litigation and with provide creative approaches to dispute resolution
• Coach and direct assigned support staff in their responsibilities

Critical Success Factors:

Good Judgment: Demonstrate expertise and sound judgment, understand how assigned responsibilities support Abbott’s business objectives, and be able to provide practical, risk-balanced advice based upon a thorough understanding of the scope of an issue, taking full advantage of internal networks and external intelligence.

Collaboration: Firm understanding of available legal, functional, and business resources and ability to integrate information from a number of sources to achieve business results, including breaking down boundaries to create alignment as necessary, in a complex, global, matrixed environment.

Anticipation: Holistic, big picture thinker, who anticipates changes in law, enforcement, and/or business objectives and adapts approach as necessary to manage risks effectively and mitigate issues before they arise.

Influencing Skills: Build strong relationships with business partners to tactfully influence and gain their support to drive desired outcomes. Represent Abbott externally to customers, suppliers, competitors, trade associations or government agencies; and resolve legal issues using negotiation skills and legal expertise.

Position Accountability/Scope:

• Position reports to Division Counsel, Litigation, responsible for Labor and Employment
• Position will interact with senior management in Abbott Legal, Human Resources, and the business units
  

Qualifications:

• Candidates must possess a JD degree and have or be able to obtain appropriate licensure to practice law in Illinois.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of management-side labor and employment law counseling and litigation practice (at least 3 with a reputable law firm).
• In-house experience preferred.

Apply Now

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on X (formerly Twitter) @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

The base pay for this position is $127,300.00 – $254,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.