Legal Counsel
- Provide expert legal advice and support on all aspects of employment law, including hiring, performance management, disciplinary actions, terminations, and employee relations.
- Advise on compliance with federal, state, local employment and international (through liaising with outside counsel) laws and regulations.
- Ability to handle and prioritize many matters, including at times responding urgently to contractual work and their associated negotiations.
Contracts and Agreements:
- Draft, review, and negotiate employment contracts, severance agreements, non-compete agreements, vendor agreements, and other HR and employment-related documents.
- Ensure that all employment agreements align with company policies and legal requirements across multiple entities and jurisdictions, including internationally.
- Manage and maintain company’s employment agreement template library for use by the recruiting team.
- Provide legal counsel on new employment policies and assist in drafting these new policies and revising employee handbooks periodically.
- Support select non-employment-related legal matters, including review and negotiation of NDAs and commercial contracts, in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
Risk Management:
- Identify potential legal risks related to employment practices and develop strategies to mitigate those risks.
- Monitor changes in employment law and update company practices accordingly.
Collaboration:
- Work closely with Recruiting, HR, management, and other departments to address employment law issues and support business objectives.
- Provide guidance on employee benefits, compensation, and other HR-related matters.
- Liaise closely with the recruiting team during the offer process and negotiations with candidates.
Policy Development and Implementation:
- Develop, review, and update company policies and procedures to ensure compliance with employment laws and best practices.
- Implement policies related to equal employment opportunity, harassment prevention, and workplace safety.
Dispute Resolution:
- Manage and resolve employment-related disputes, including internal investigations, performance improvement plans, etc.
- Represent the company in employment-related claims, if any.
Training and Education:
- Conduct training sessions for managers and employees on employment law issues, company policies, and best practices.
- Develop educational materials and resources to promote legal compliance and foster a positive work environment.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
- Must be an attorney in good standing with applicable state Bar.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in employment law, preferably within the financial services or technology sectors.
- In-depth knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations, in particular California and New York, international experience in the UK is a plus.
- Proven experience in handling employment litigation and dispute resolution.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- High ethical standards and professional integrity.
