Director and Asst Gen Cnsl - Litigation and Employment

Chicago Mercantile Exchange; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 161,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

CME Group is seeking an Employment Attorney to partner with our HR team and business leaders across the US. The role focuses on providing strategic legal counsel on employment law, handling compliance, disputes, and policy development for Illinois and New York locations.

The ideal candidate has a J.D. and at least 5 years of US employment law experience, with strong advisory and negotiation capabilities to support corporate initiatives and risk management.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school with an active license in Illinois or New York.
• 5+ years of dedicated US employment law experience, including policy drafting.
• Strong communication and advisory skills with executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to HR and business leaders on all aspects of employment law.
• Manage external employment counsel in litigation and administrative proceedings.
• Draft and negotiate employment agreements, severance agreements, and covenants.
• Monitor regulatory changes and update employee handbooks and policies.
• Oversee internal investigations and design training programs for managers and HR staff.

Skills

Employment law

Regulatory compliance

Litigation management

Contract negotiation

Training design

Education

J.D. degree

Tools

Legal research tools

Job description

Employment Attorney (US)

This role serves as a key legal partner to the global Human Resources team and business leaders, providing primary employment law support and strategic legal counsel across all US entities and locations. The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise in federal, state, and local labor and employment laws with practical business acumen to navigate complex workplace matters, mitigate legal risk, and support corporate initiatives.

Principal Accountabilities

• Provide legal advice to HR and business leaders regarding all aspects of employment law (hiring, discipline, termination, wage & hour, reasonable accommodation, restrictive covenants, leaves of absence, employee benefits, employment policies and training).
• Manage external employment counsel in litigation, administrative charges (EEOC/state agencies), mediations, and arbitrations to ensure cost-effective, high-quality representation.
• Draft, review and negotiate employment agreements, severance agreements, restrictive covenants, and third-party vendor contracts related to HR services.
• Monitor legislative developments, regulatory changes, and legal trends across relevant jurisdictions to ensure company compliance and update employee handbooks and policies accordingly.
• Conduct or oversee internal workplace investigations concerning allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or ethics violations, recommending appropriate remedial actions.
• Design and deliver training programs for managers and HR staff on key employment law topics, risk management, and workplace compliance standards.

Qualifications & Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in Illinois or New York.
• 5+ years of dedicated US employment law experience, preferably with a mix of law firm and in-house corporate legal department experience.
• In-depth understanding of US federal employment laws (e.g., Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, ADEA) as well as multi-state employment regulations.
• Experience drafting, negotiating and implementing employment related agreements and policies.
• Strong communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills with a proven track record of advising executive stakeholders effectively.

CME Group is committed to offering a competitive total rewards package for our employees that recognizes their contributions to the business and reflects our long-term investment in their future. The pay range for this role is $160,600-$267,600. Actual salary offered will be dependent on a wide array of factors including but not limited to: relevant experience, skills, education and comparison to internal employees (where relevant). Our compensation program also includes an annual target bonus opportunity for all employees, as well as the opportunity to become an owner in the company through our broad-based equity program. Through our benefits program, we strive to offer flexibility, value and choice. From comprehensive health coverage, to a retirement package that includes both a 401(k) and an active pension plan, to highly competitive education reimbursement provisions, paid time off and a mental health benefit, CME Group offers a holistic benefits package for our team and their dependents.

CME Group: Where Futures are Made

CME Group is the world’s leading derivatives marketplace. But who we are goes deeper than that. Here, you can impact markets worldwide. Transform industries. And build a career by shaping tomorrow. We invest in your success and you own it – all while working alongside a team of leading experts who inspire you in ways big and small. Problem solvers, difference makers, trailblazers. Those are our people. And we’re looking for more.

At CME Group, we embrace our employees' unique experiences and skills to ensure that everyone’s perspectives are acknowledged and valued. As an equal-opportunity employer, we consider all potential employees without regard to any protected characteristic.