Employment Counsel

Perkins Coie LLP; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 343,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking law firm as Employment Counsel, where you will provide strategic legal guidance on employment matters. This role is pivotal in shaping workplace culture, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, and fostering a supportive environment. Collaborate with HR and leadership to navigate complex employment issues, lead investigations, and develop policies that promote fairness and respect. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in a supportive and dynamic setting.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Hybrid work environment

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid sabbaticals

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Accrued paid time off starting at 20 days annually

Paid holidays

Family care benefits

Qualifications

• 7+ years of employment law experience, ideally in a law firm setting.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Strong knowledge of FMLA, ADA, ERISA, HIPAA, and Title VII.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal guidance on employment matters and compliance.
• Lead internal investigations into workplace issues like harassment.
• Advise on complex employment issues and monitor policy trends.

Skills

Employment Law

Legal Compliance

Risk Management

Workplace Investigations

Policy Development

HRIS Systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Juris Doctor

Tools

Workday

Job description

Job Description:

Perkins Coie is seeking a dynamic and strategic Employment Counsel to join our Business Professional team. In this high-impact role, you will provide expert legal guidance on employment matters, ensuring compliance across jurisdictions while helping shape a transparent, respectful, and legally sound workplace culture.

About the Role:

As Employment Counsel, you will not only interpret the law, you will also help shape how we work. You will be the go-to advisor on a wide range of employment-related topics, including workplace investigations, risk management, and labor relations. Your role bridges legal compliance and People strategy, working together with our HR, Firm Personnel Partner, General Counsel and leadership teams to foster a supportive, forward-thinking work environment. Reporting to the firm's Chief People Officer, Employment Counsel provides expert employment legal advice and support for employee relations and employment law counseling consistent with the firm's overall business strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

Legal & Strategic Counseling

• Stay ahead of the curve on federal, state, and local labor laws to ensure compliance wherever we operate.
• Advise leaders and employees on complex employment issues, offering strategic, practical solutions.
• Monitor policy trends and legal developments to mitigate risk and guide initiative-taking changes.

Investigations & Risk Management

• In consultation with the Firm Personnel Partner and General Counsel, lead internal investigations into sensitive workplace matters such as harassment, discrimination, and misconduct.
• Support employee performance conversations, disciplinary actions, and risk assessments for terminations.
• Represent the firm in government agency matters (e.g., EEOC, DOL), including audits and investigations.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as a trusted partner to our HR team and leadership across the firm.
• Provide mentorship and function as an organization-wide subject matter expert on employment law.
• Help build and maintain a culture of compliance, fairness, and respect.

Policy & Compliance Oversight

• Provide legal guidance on leave of absences and ensure compliance with FMLA, ADA, and other applicable laws.
• Review, draft, and update employment policies and documentation, including our employee handbook.
• Lead internal training and education initiatives on compliance and workplace expectations.

What We Are Looking For:

• Juris Doctor and active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum seven (7) years of employment law experience, preferably in a law firm or corporate in-house setting.
• Experience with international employment law, especially in the UK, is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in handling investigations, risk assessment, compliance, and policy work.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of employment regulations including FMLA, ADA, ERISA, HIPAA, and Title VII.
• Technologically proficient (Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS systems, preferably Workday).
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and ability to work with confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively help build productive and collaborative relationships while working in a highly matrixed organization.

Skills & Traits:

• You build trust and foster collaboration at every level of the organization.
• You tackle conflict with a problem-solving mindset.
• You lead with empathy and act with integrity.
• You are comfortable balancing strategic vision with day-to-day problem-solving.
• You are action-oriented, organized, and driven to deliver results.

Perks & Details:

• You will be part of a nationally recognized, supportive firm dedicated to excellence, client service and integrity.
• Comprehensive and generous benefits package.
• Hybrid work environment.

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact at a leading law firm while growing your career in a supportive and challenging environment, we encourage you to apply.

Please note that the recruitment process for this position is being managed internally. We are not engaging external recruitment agencies at this time.

At Perkins Coie, we look for self-motivated individuals dedicated to providing value and superior service and who have a high degree of integrity and enthusiasm for their work. We have created a company culture based on collaboration, devotion to serving our clients, and mutual respect. Perkins Coie is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion both within the firm and throughout our collective communities. Work with one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For and receive great health insurance, tuition reimbursement, and paid sabbaticals.

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, 401(k) plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance, accrued paid time off plan starting at 20 days annually, personal medical and parental leave, up to 10 paid holidays, and family care benefits. More information regarding benefits and programs may be found here.

This position may be filled in the following location(s). The listed compensation range reflects the typical pay for this role, though it is rare for new hires to receive an offer at the top of the range. Actual compensation may vary depending on experience, skills, market conditions, and internal equity.

Illinois compensation range: $172,860 to $311,260 annually

New York compensation range: $190,050 to $342,210 annually

Washington state compensation range: $172,770 to $311,100 annually

Washington, D.C., compensation range: $186,590 to $335,990 annually

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