Employment and Labor Law Counsel

JLL•Chicago, IL

19h•Onsite

About The Position

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. Role Overview JLL is seeking an experienced employment law attorney to serve as Employment and Labor Law Counsel. This Counsel position plays a critical role in supporting JLL's North American operations by providing sophisticated legal counsel on complex employment matters across the United States and Canada. The successful candidate will work collaboratively within our employment law team while independently managing a diverse portfolio of labor- and employment-related matters. The role requires a strategic legal professional who can provide practical counsel to business leaders, ensure compliance with evolving employment laws, and effectively manage complex employment disputes and investigations. This position offers significant growth opportunities within JLL's dynamic legal department and the chance to impact employment practices across a leading global organization.

Requirements

Collaborative Leadership: Ability to work effectively within a team environment while managing independent responsibilities
Business Acumen: Understanding of how employment law intersects with business operations and strategic objectives
Risk Assessment: Sophisticated ability to identify, assess, and mitigate employment-related risks
Communication Excellence: Proven ability to present complex legal issues to diverse audiences including HR professionals and business leaders
Adaptability: Experience working in fast-paced, demanding environments with strong multitasking capabilities
Continuous Learning: Commitment to staying current on evolving employment law developments across multiple jurisdictions

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive guidance on wage and hour matters, including timekeeping, payroll, FLSA audits, overtime and break time issues
Advise on leave laws and administration, including FMLA, state/local paid sick leave laws, and reasonable accommodation requirements under the ADA
Draft, review, and revise employee agreements including employment agreements, offer letters, restrictive covenants, secondment agreements, and independent contractor arrangements
Review compensation plans to ensure legal compliance and alignment with business objectives
Monitor compliance with all new and amended federal, state, and provincial employment laws and advise on implementation strategies
Conduct comprehensive policy reviews and updates to maintain current compliance standards
Support labor-related proceedings, such as arbitrations, unfair labor practices, union petitions, and other NLRB matters where applicable and in partnership with other legal and HR partners
Provide legal advice to support Culture and Employee Experience initiatives
Support sourcing and procurement activities, including review of public institution agreements and RFPs for employment-related considerations
Advise on hiring and recruitment matters, including pay transparency requirements, artificial intelligence usage, drug screening, and background check compliance
Review commercial contracts and provide employment-related guidance to contracts attorneys
Collaborate with legal and HR partners to support transition of business activities
Handle employment law matters for Puerto Rico and Canadian operations
Advise on internal investigations of potential ethics and compliance violations, misconduct, and criminal conduct matters
Coordinate responses to government audits from agencies including OFCCP, DOL, and EEOC
Manage diverse pre-litigation and regulatory proceedings, including alternative dispute resolution
Conduct employment law training sessions for HR and business teams
Review and advise on company-wide training programs related to employment issues
Provide ongoing counsel on performance management, terminations, and workplace investigations
Handle annual reporting requirements including OFCCP and pay data reporting for Illinois and California
Collaborate with Human Resources and Culture and Employee Experience teams to align legal requirements with business objectives
Work within the employment law team structure while maintaining independent judgment on complex matters
Support employment aspects of talent acquisition, benefits administration, and workforce planning initiatives