Senior Employment Counsel - Strategic HR Advisor

Illinois Defense Counsel; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 160,000 - 272,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k and Pension

Health benefits

Paid time off

Parental leave

Well-being benefits

Job summary

Northern Trust, a global leader in wealth management, is seeking an experienced employment attorney to serve as a trusted advisor to HR and business leadership in the United States. The role covers counseling, investigations, litigation, regulatory updates, and strategic workforce initiatives at a large, complex organization.

The ideal candidate has a J.D., active bar membership, and 10+ years of employment law experience, with a track record advising senior executives and HR teams.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active state bar membership in good standing.
• 10+ years of employment law experience.
• Experience in employment litigation, employee relations counseling, internal investigations, and compliance.
• Experience advising senior executives and HR leadership teams.
• Experience supporting large, complex organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel across the employment lifecycle (hiring, compensation, performance, leaves, discipline).
• Lead internal investigations into harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct.
• Manage employment-related litigation and agency matters, oversee outside counsel.
• Draft/update employment policies and respond to regulatory developments (pay transparency, AI in employment, wage/hour).
• Support reorganizations, workforce transformations, and executive severance matters.
• Deliver training for managers and HR on employment law.

Skills

Employment law

Litigation

Employee relations

Internal investigations

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Northern Trust, a global leader in wealth management, is seeking an experienced employment attorney to serve as a trusted advisor to HR and business leadership in the United States. The role covers counseling, investigations, litigation, regulatory updates, and strategic workforce initiatives at a large, complex organization.

The ideal candidate has a J.D., active bar membership, and 10+ years of employment law experience, with a track record advising senior executives and HR teams.