Associate Corporate Counsel (Employment & Labor)

Asset Living•Houston, AZ

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Corporate Counsel, Employment & Labor reports to the General Counsel and serves as a key legal partner to the company’s Human Resources team and operational leaders. This attorney handles and manages the company’s employment disputes – from agency charges and demand letters through litigation and arbitration – and provides practical, day-to-day advice on employment and labor matters across the company’s multi-state workforce. The role calls for sound judgment and decision-making, often with limited information and tight timeframes.

Requirements

JD from an ABA-accredited law school and active membership in good standing in at least one state bar. Attorneys not licensed in Texas must be eligible to register as in-house counsel with the Texas Board of Law Examiners.
3–5 years of employment and labor law experience at a law firm, in-house, or both, including handling agency charges and employment litigation.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound, practical recommendations quickly.
Direct, candid, and concise communication style, with the ability to explain legal issues in plain language to HR professionals and business leaders at all levels.
Ability to manage a high volume of matters, prioritize effectively, and meet multiple deadlines.
Highest ethical standards, a self-motivated and resourceful approach, and the ability to build credibility and trust with colleagues inside and outside the company.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); familiarity with HRIS and e-discovery platforms is a plus.

Nice To Haves

Experience in property management, real estate, or another multi-site industry is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Report directly to the General Counsel and assist with the reporting to the CEO and Board of Directors as necessary on all material legal matters affecting the company.
Directly manage and respond to charges and inquiries before the EEOC, the Texas Workforce Commission, and other federal, state, and local agencies, including drafting position statements, responding to information requests, and representing the company in mediation and conciliation.
Evaluate and respond to attorney demand letters and pre-suit claims, develop resolution strategy, negotiate settlements, and draft settlement and release agreements.
Manage employment lawsuits and arbitrations, including wage-and-hour class and collective actions, in partnership with outside counsel. Formulate strategy, review pleadings, discovery, and motions, monitor budgets, and make recommendations to outside counsel and the General Counsel.
Draft and circulate legal holds; coordinate the preservation, collection, and production of documents, including electronic discovery with the company’s IT team; communicate with current and former employees who have relevant knowledge; prepare employees for depositions and attend as needed; and respond to subpoenas and non-party discovery.
Engage outside counsel as needed to assist with responsibilities. Negotiate engagement terms with outside counsel, review invoices to enforce the company’s billing guidelines, ensure matters are handled efficiently with the appropriate level of counsel experience necessary for the matter, and maintain case files and matter summaries for reporting to the General Counsel.
Advise Human Resources and property leadership on terminations, corrective action, and high-risk or escalated workplace investigations to ensure consistent, compliant, and fair outcomes.
Advise on leave programs, disability and other accommodation requests, and return-to-work issues under federal, state, and local law.
Review and draft the employee handbook, HR policies, and employment-related agreements. Monitor developments in federal, state, and local employment and labor laws and help the company stay compliant across its multi-state footprint.
Partner with the company’s insurance broker and carriers on employment practices liability claims, including claim notices, tenders, coverage questions, and coordination with carrier-appointed counsel.
Collaborate with Human Resources and management teams to develop training materials, and provide prompt, practical legal advice that supports sound operational decision-making.