Corporate Counsel: People & Communities (HR)

Cisco

About The Position

Join Cisco’s People Legal Team and be a trusted and creative legal partner to Cisco’s People & Communities (HR) organization and the entire enterprise. You’ll pave pathways that will enhance Cisco’s employee experience and solve problems that have no easy answers. The People Legal Team consists of pragmatic lawyers and legal professionals responsible for the full portfolio of the company’s international employment law matters who sit at the intersection of law and culture. We take pride in collectively thinking through the practical implications of risk and how to help run a company that is consistently ranked, throughout the world, as one of the best places to work. In this role, you’ll report to an Associate General Counsel Director, Employment Law. People Legal is part of a Cisco Legal organization with 450+ Legal and Compliance professionals in 25+ countries committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment as we work together to drive Cisco’s success. We serve as trusted advisors to the business – problem solving, navigating complexities, and enabling transformation along the way. We use technology to make life easier – leveraging Cisco’s innovative networking and collaboration tools to enable flexible, hybrid work. And we embrace the responsibility to be a force for good – donating our time and expertise through pro bono and community impact initiatives. Every day will be different as you help leaders and People & Communities manage Cisco’s dynamic business, providing counsel to clients in every area of employment law, including workplace accommodations, harassment, discrimination, wage and hour, and compliance with new laws. You will work with people leaders to develop talent, shape Cisco fairness practices, provide learning opportunities, investigate concerns. You will also handle litigation and respond to agency charges and demand letters. In addition, you’ll be a teammate to the best colleagues in the business and grow in a supportive environment. You will support employment law functions in other parts of North and South America in collaboration with team members and outside counsel.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate (JD) with a strong academic record
Bar admission in any jurisdiction with good standing, with a minimum of 5 years of employment law work at a law firm and/or in-house
Experience in employment litigation and responding to government agency charges (EEOC or similar state agency)
Experience in providing advice and counsel in a wide array of employment law areas, with an emphasis on providing practical guidance
Excellent client management, writing, advocacy and organizational skills

Nice To Haves

You are an attorney with a real passion for employment law. You love partnering with leaders, HR professionals and Cisco team members to find the best solutions. You have a deep understanding of federal and state employment-related issues.
You ask the right questions, think strategically, and are willing to question the status quo. You listen to and understand the needs of your clients.
You are agile, think on your feet, and are not afraid to make decisions and take smart risks.
You have excellent collabaration skills, are able to lead cross-functional projects, and are a standout colleague.
You also are self-starter, able to work independently, and have excellent written and oral advocacy and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

Provide counsel to clients in every area of employment law, including workplace accommodations, harassment, discrimination, wage and hour, and compliance with new laws.
Work with people leaders to develop talent, shape Cisco fairness practices, provide learning opportunities, investigate concerns.
Handle litigation and respond to agency charges and demand letters.
Support employment law functions in other parts of North and South America in collaboration with team members and outside counsel.

Benefits

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance.
Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.
10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
Non-exempt employees receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.