In-house Employment Counsel (Minneapolis, MN) (#5012)

Dorsey & Whitney LLP; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 156,000 - 238,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Dorsey & Whitney LLP is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as Employment Counsel, advising on personnel matters, compliance, and investigations. The role collaborates with the Firm's management and HR teams to shape policy and practice across multiple states.

Ideal candidates hold a J.D. with bar admission and at least five years of relevant experience, including wage-and-hour, discrimination, and leaves administration. Hybrid office work is required in Minneapolis, MN.

Qualifications

• J.D. required with admission to a state bar.
• Minimum five years advising clients on personnel matters.
• Strong knowledge of ADA, FMLA, Title VII, FLSA.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice on personnel matters to firm management and HR.
• Lead compliance audits and update personnel policies.
• Draft severance, relocation, and status-change agreements.
• Conduct investigations into discrimination and harassment cases.
• Prepare responses to administrative charges and manage litigation holds.
• Support General Counsel and Employment Counsel.
• Travel as needed.

Skills

J.D.

Bar admission

Employment law

Wage & hour

Discrimination

Multi-state

Communication

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Tools

None

Job description

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic advice to Firm management and HR colleagues on full range of personnel matters, including hiring, performance management, terminations, leaves and accommodations, payroll and benefits compliance, wage and hour matters, workplace complaints, and prevention of discrimination, retaliation, and harassment.
• Maintain knowledge of industry trends related to employment practices and ensure the Firm's compliance with legal requirements, as well as Firm policy. Plan and conduct compliance audits periodically.
• Partner with HR colleagues to develop and conduct in-house training sessions.
• Draft and update personnel policies and identify and implement best practices in light of current law and Firm initiatives.
• Draft or review performance-related documentation (warnings, performance evaluations, talking points, etc.) and informative communications related to policy changes or new laws.
• Draft personnel agreements (e.g., severance, relocation, change in status, consultant, etc.) and maintain appropriate templates.
• Conduct investigations regarding personnel matters, including discrimination and harassment complaints.
• As needed, prepare the Firm's response to state and federal administrative charges. Coordinate and manage litigation holds.
• Support the Firm's Office of General Counsel and Firm Employment Counsel.
• Assume such other duties as directed.
• Some travel is required.

What we're looking for:

• J.D. from accredited law school and admission to a state bar.
• At least five years advising clients/employers as a lawyer on personnel matters, including without limitation, leaves of absence, reasonable accommodations, and wage and hour laws (up to two years of prior management or HR experience may be counted as relevant experience for this requirement).
• Strong knowledge of various employment laws, including the ADA, FMLA, Title VII, and FLSA.
• Familiarity with data-backed investigations and data collection procedures.
• General knowledge of the principles and practices of human resources administration.
• Strong conflict resolution skills and experience.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with personnel at all levels.
• Ability to work well under pressure and to manage and prioritize competing demands.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience advising multi-state employers.
• Ability to work in the office on a hybrid basis multiple days per week.

Preferred:

• Prior in-house employment counsel and/or human resources experience.
• Experience advising clients in a professional services setting.

About Dorsey:

Dorsey & Whitney is a global law firm with over 650 lawyers across 22 offices in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. We provide strategic legal counsel to companies worldwide across a diverse range of industries, including banking & financial institutions; development & infrastructure; energy & natural resources; food, beverage & agribusiness; healthcare & life sciences; and technology.

Dorsey offers opportunities for advancement within a collaborative and dynamic environment, with competitive pay and excellent benefits. Our benefits are available to business professionals working 17+ hours/week along with their dependents, including spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender.

Dorsey's benefit package includes: comprehensive medical insurance with coverage for infertility, gender-affirming care, behavioral health, and access to virtual providers; dental insurance; vision insurance; 401(k) retirement savings plan with Firm contribution; basic and optional life insurance; short and long-term disability; paid time off; up to 8 weeks of paid parental leave with up to an additional 6-8 weeks of paid short-term disability for business professionals who give birth; paid holidays; paid volunteer day; discretionary bonuses (if bonus eligible); adoption assistance; healthcare, dependent care, and transportation pre-tax reimbursement accounts; back-up child and elder care program; education and college advising program; virtual tutoring; wellbeing programs and activities; mass transit program (certain offices); travel assistance program; 24/7 employee assistance program with access to five confidential visits with a licensed counselor at no cost. (Some benefits are subject to eligibility criteria.)

One of our greatest strengths is a friendly, cooperative culture that values and appreciates each individual. Dorsey has received external recognition for our welcoming workplace, including:

• Mansfield Certification Plus (Diversity Lab)
• Best Law Firms for Women (National Association of Female Executives and Flex-Time Lawyers)
• 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index (Human Rights Campaign)
• Gold Standard Certification (Women in Law Empowerment Forum)
• Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplace (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

Reasonable Accommodations:

Dorsey is committed to providing disability and religious-based reasonable accommodations, as well as menopause, pregnancy or lactation-related reasonable accommodations. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, or if you have questions about a workplace reasonable accommodation, please contact us at 612-492-5178.

Office Location:

Minneapolis, MN

Dorsey & Whitney LLP participates in E-Verify.

The pay range for this position in Minnesota only is an annual salary of $156,000 to $238,000.

Dorsey estimates it will accept applications through November 13, 2026.