Strategic Labor & Employment Counsel | Partner to HR

Cushman & Wakefield; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 174,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield seeks an Assistant General Counsel, Labor & Employment, to advise on nationwide matters in collaboration with HR and regional attorneys. The role emphasizes high-risk terminations, investigations, and strategic risk management to support business objectives.

The candidate will provide guidance on ERISA, NLRA/RLA, and securities considerations while partnering with leadership on risk mitigation and process improvements across the company.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• 7+ years of labor & employment law experience.
• Experience leading or co-leading investigations, arbitrations, and agency proceedings (NLRB, EEOC).
• Experience presenting to and counseling senior leaders with commercially mindful guidance.
• Experience with matter management and e-billing systems.

Responsibilities

• Advise on labor and employment matters across the U.S. and Canada in partnership with HR and regional attorneys.
• Own the company's legal position on elevated-risk employment matters, including terminations and separations.
• Coordinate investigations into employment misconduct and assist Ethics & Compliance as needed.
• Provide advisory support to HR on routine employee-relations matters and benefits administration.
• Prepare executive-level litigation reports, KPIs, trend analyses, and risk assessments.

Skills

Communication

AI tools

Learning agility

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Under pressure

Integrity & confidentiality

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

State bar admission

Tools

Matter management

e-billing systems

Job description

Cushman & Wakefield seeks an Assistant General Counsel, Labor & Employment, to advise on nationwide matters in collaboration with HR and regional attorneys. The role emphasizes high-risk terminations, investigations, and strategic risk management to support business objectives.

The candidate will provide guidance on ERISA, NLRA/RLA, and securities considerations while partnering with leadership on risk mitigation and process improvements across the company.