Senior Transactional Labor & Employment Associate or Counsel

McGuireWoods LLP; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

McGuireWoods LLP seeks a seasoned employment law professional focused on high-stakes matters impacting enterprise value, leadership continuity, and transaction success. The role advises corporate clients and private equity sponsors on employment issues arising from acquisitions, divestitures, leadership transitions, and post‑closing integration.

The attorney will lead employment-related due diligence in transactions, identify material risks, and provide practical mitigation strategies.

Qualifications

• Counsel clients on workplace policies and employment compliance.
• Advise on restrictive covenants and wage misclassification issues.
• Lead employment-related due diligence in corporate transactions.

Responsibilities

• Counsel clients on workplace policies and employment compliance.
• Lead employment-related due diligence in corporate transactions.
• Supervise junior associates and coordinate with deal teams.

Skills

Leadership

Executive counseling

Mentorship

Policy counseling

Job description

Overview

• This role is distinct from traditional employment law, focusing on high-stakes matters where workforce decisions directly affect enterprise value, leadership continuity, and transaction success.
• The team advises corporate clients and private equity sponsors on employment issues arising from acquisitions, divestitures, leadership transitions, restrictive covenant disputes, and post-closing integration, working closely with McGuireWoods' nationally ranked Healthcare, Private Equity, and M&A teams.
• Responsibilities include counseling clients on workplace policies, employment compliance, employee relations, and HR matters (including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-and-hour issues), as well as advising on restrictive covenant and wage misclassification issues, encompassing the structuring, drafting, and enforceability of related obligations.
• The role involves leading employment-related due diligence in corporate and private equity transactions, which includes identifying and prioritizing material legal and business risks, developing practical mitigation strategies, and supervising junior associates.
• Attorneys independently manage complex employment matters and transactional workstreams, identifying material risks, developing practical recommendations, coordinating with deal teams, and delivering timely, client-ready work product.
• The position requires partnering with senior executives and corporate leadership to advise on sensitive personnel, leadership transition, and governance issues, where discretion and strategic judgment are essential.
• This role includes providing mentorship and developmental support to junior associates through substantive guidance, constructive feedback, and opportunities for increased responsibility.