Senior Employment Counsel

Jobgether; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Contract-based role

Senior legal exposure to international

Cross-functional collaboration

Professional development

Diversity and inclusion emphasis

Job summary

Jobgether is seeking a Senior Employment Counsel based in the United States for a fully remote contractor role. You will provide strategic employment law guidance across domestic and international matters, partnering with HR, leaders, and cross-functional teams to navigate complex issues and mitigate risk.

You will oversee investigations, manage claims and disputes, and support global employment initiatives while ensuring compliance and practical business guidance.

Qualifications

• JD degree and active membership in good standing with at least one US state bar.
• Admission to the Colorado or California bar is preferred.
• 3+ years of US employment law experience at a national firm or in-house.
• Experience in in-house roles with HR/business collaboration is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of employee relations, investigations, wage/hour, and terminations.

Responsibilities

• Provide employment law guidance on US and international matters, balancing compliance, risk, and business objectives.
• Counsel HR and leaders on performance management, disputes, accommodations, and terminations.
• Advise on recruiting practices and workplace policies to ensure compliance.
• Draft, review, and update employment agreements, policies, and templates.

Skills

US employment law

employee relations

policy drafting

risk assessment

litigation management

client counseling

stakeholder management

communication

multitasking

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Active state bar membership

Job description

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Employment Counsel based in the United States.As a Senior Employment Counsel, you will provide strategic, practical, and business-oriented legal guidance across a broad range of domestic and international employment matters. Working closely with Human Resources, business leaders, and cross-functional teams, you will help navigate complex legal issues, mitigate employment-related risks, and support compliance in a fast-paced, evolving business environment. You will advise on employee relations, workplace policies, investigations, accommodations, compensation practices, and employment terminations while ensuring legal requirements are integrated into everyday business decisions. You will also oversee employment-related claims and litigation in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external legal counsel. This role offers the opportunity to influence employment practices, strengthen organizational risk management, and support responsible business growth. The position is fully remote and structured as a contractor engagement, making it well suited to an experienced employment attorney who combines legal expertise with sound judgment and strong stakeholder management skills.

Accountabilities

• Provide employment law guidance: Advise on a broad range of US and international employment and labor law matters, delivering practical recommendations that balance legal compliance, risk management, and business objectives.
• Support employee relations: Counsel Human Resources and business leaders on employee performance management, workplace concerns, accommodations, disciplinary actions, and employment terminations.
• Advise on recruitment and employment practices: Provide legal guidance on recruiting processes, employment decisions, workplace policies, and procedures to promote consistent and compliant practices.
• Manage employment documentation: Draft, review, and update employment agreements, policies, templates, and other legal documents to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with applicable laws.
• Oversee internal investigations: Advise on and manage workplace investigations, helping assess allegations, determine appropriate next steps, and recommend actions based on legal requirements and organizational considerations.
• Manage employment claims and disputes: Handle employment-related demand letters, administrative complaints, audits, and other claims, developing appropriate response strategies and minimizing legal exposure.
• Coordinate employment litigation: Work with internal stakeholders and external counsel to manage employment litigation matters, monitor case developments, and support effective resolution strategies.
• Partner with HR and business leadership: Collaborate with internal teams to evaluate, develop, and implement employment policies, processes, and practices that support organizational goals and regulatory compliance.
• Support wage and hour compliance: Provide legal guidance on compensation practices, working hours, and related employment obligations to help identify and address potential compliance risks.
• Contribute to global employment initiatives: Support international employment matters and immigration-related initiatives, coordinating with relevant stakeholders and legal advisers as needed.
• Translate legal complexity into business guidance: Communicate legal risks, regulatory requirements, and recommended actions in clear, actionable language tailored to business stakeholders.
• Manage competing priorities: Independently handle multiple legal matters, assess urgency and risk, and deliver timely, well-reasoned advice in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Requirements

• Legal education and licensure: Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active membership in good standing with at least one US state bar. Admission to the Colorado or California bar is preferred.
• Professional experience: At least 3 years of experience practicing US employment law at a nationally recognized law firm, in an in-house legal department, or a combination of both.
• In-house legal experience: Prior experience working in an in-house legal environment is strongly preferred, particularly in a role requiring close collaboration with HR and business leadership.
• Broad employment law expertise: Strong working knowledge of employee relations, employment compliance, workplace investigations, performance management, accommodations, wage and hour requirements, and termination-related matters.
• Employment litigation and claims management: Experience advising on or managing employment-related disputes, demand letters, administrative complaints, investigations, audits, and litigation.
• Policy and contract drafting: Demonstrated ability to draft, review, and revise employment agreements, internal policies, legal templates, and related documentation.
• Regulatory and risk assessment skills: The ability to interpret employment laws and regulations, identify legal exposure, and develop practical strategies to address compliance challenges.
• Business-oriented legal judgment: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance legal risk, operational priorities, and commercial considerations when advising stakeholders.
• Communication and stakeholder management: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal concepts in clear, practical terms to non-legal audiences.
• Collaboration and relationship building: The ability to build trusted relationships with HR professionals, executives, business teams, and external counsel while maintaining appropriate legal independence.
• Organization and prioritization: Proven ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, and maintain accuracy and responsiveness under pressure.
• Autonomy and adaptability: A proactive, self-directed working style, with the judgment and flexibility to operate effectively in a fast-paced, changing business environment.
• Confidentiality and professionalism: Strong discretion and ethical judgment when handling sensitive employee information, investigations, and legally privileged matters.

Benefits

• Remote work: Fully remote position within the United States.
• Contractor engagement: Opportunity to contribute legal expertise through a contract-based role.
• Competitive professional opportunity: A senior legal position offering exposure to complex domestic and international employment matters.
• Strategic business impact: The opportunity to advise business leaders and influence employment policies, compliance practices, and organizational risk management.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Direct partnership with Human Resources, leadership, internal stakeholders, and external legal counsel.
• Professional development: Exposure to evolving employment law issues, global workforce considerations, and complex legal challenges in a dynamic business environment.
• Inclusive workplace culture: A commitment to equal employment opportunity, diversity, and reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment and employment process.