Labor and Employment Associate

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; Toledo (OH); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP in Toledo seeks a Labor & Employment Associate with at least three years of management-side experience to join our growing Labor & Employment team.

The ideal candidate will handle counseling and litigation matters, draft agreements, and guide employers on federal and state employment laws. A hybrid work arrangement is negotiable and the office supports work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school with strong academics.
• Active Ohio Bar admission or the ability to waive into Ohio.
• Minimum of three years of management-side labor and employment experience.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating employment agreements and related documents.
• Counseling employers on compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, NLRA).
• Advising on employee discipline, terminations, reductions in force, leave management, and accommodations.
• Representing employers in state and federal court, administrative agency proceedings, and arbitration.
• Draft pleadings, dispositive motions, discovery requests/responses, briefs, and appellate filings.
• Manage discovery, depositions, and witness preparation; participate in mediations/arbitrations.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Client service

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Counseling

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Ohio Bar admission / eligibility

Tools

Westlaw

Lexis

MS Word

Job description

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is seeking a talented Labor & Employment Associate with a minimum of three years of management-side experience to join our growing Labor & Employment Service Line in our Toledo office.

This is an excellent opportunity to work alongside a highly regarded team representing employers in a broad range of labor and employment matters. The ideal candidate will have experience handling both employment counseling and litigation matters and will be interested in developing a sophisticated practice that includes day-to-day employer advice, workforce management issues, workplace investigations, and employment disputes.

Where You’ll Work

This position is located in our Toledo office, but a hybrid working arrangement is negotiable.

What You’ll Do

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating employment agreements, separation agreements, executive compensation arrangements, restrictive covenant agreements, and independent contractor agreements.
• Preparing and revising employee handbooks, workplace policies, and HR procedures.
• Counseling employers on compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, NLRA, and wage and hour regulations.
• Advising clients regarding employee discipline, terminations, reductions in force, leave management, accommodations, and employee relations issues.
• Assisting with workplace investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, and misconduct allegations.
• Representing employers in state and federal court litigation, administrative agency proceedings, and arbitration matters involving discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour, restrictive covenant, and traditional labor disputes.
• Draft pleadings, dispositive motions, discovery requests and responses, briefs, and appellate filings.
• Manage fact and expert discovery, including document review, depositions, and witness preparation.
• Take and defend depositions, commensurate with experience.
• Participate in mediations, arbitrations, and settlement negotiations.
• Work closely with senior attorneys on case strategy and litigation management.
• Communicate effectively with clients, experts, and opposing counsel.
• Manage caseloads efficiently while meeting litigation deadlines and billable requirements.

What We’re Looking For

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and strong academic credentials.
• Ohio Bar admission, active and in good standing, or the ability to waive into Ohio
• Minimum of three years of management-side labor and employment experience in a law firm or comparable legal environment.
• Experience with a combination of employment litigation and employment counseling matters.
• Excellent legal research, writing, advocacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong client service orientation and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple matters and communicate effectively with clients, attorneys, and business professionals.

Who We Are

We’re not just another law firm - we’re something different. The attorneys at Shumaker are known for creating strong, collaborative working relationships with each other and with their clients. Shumaker attorneys experience true camaraderie, backed by a unique paralegal and staff infrastructure, that allows their practice to thrive. As one of the 200 largest law firms in the United States, we look for skilled professionals who want to build a lifelong career with us.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting frequently, approximately six out of eight hours per day. Sitting position static for up to one-half hour at a time.
• Standing or walking frequently, up to six hours per day.
• Lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds occasionally, up to one hour per day.
• Bending and stooping occasionally, up to one-half hour per day.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access to employment opportunities. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know.