Employment Attorney

Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)•Austin, TX

3d•$142,211 - $184,690•Onsite

About The Position

The Employment Attorney provides legal counsel and support on employment law and immigration matters to Organizational Excellence staff, TRS management, and TRS’s UK subsidiary, the Teacher Retirement Investment Company of Texas (TRICOT). The attorney also provides related training, assists in defending the agency against employment claims, conducts legal research, provides general legal counsel and representation to executive management, and supports administrative law matters as needed. The position works proactively with Legal & Compliance, Organizational Excellence, executive and agency staff, and TRICOT personnel. The role advises on employment matters such as leave and accommodations, complaints and disputes, performance management, corrective actions, grievances, and terminations. It prepares legal and employment-related documents, assists with investigations and claim resolution, monitors applicable laws and regulations, supports administrative and court defenses, and delivers training. For TRICOT, the role assists with employment agreements, secondments, immigration and visa matters, sponsorship licenses, UK employment law, investigations, and employment-related disputes and litigation. General duties include legislative and regulatory review, legal research, audit inquiry responses, coordination of legal support staff, and special projects.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Five years of full-time, directly related, progressively responsible experience in employment law or related experience.
Licensed to practice law in Texas and a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas, or obtain a Texas license within six months of hire; alternatively, hold an active law license from another state and be eligible for Texas licensure under Board of Law Examiners Rule XIII, with Texas licensure obtained within six months of hire.
Knowledge of legal issues and concepts relevant to employment law.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, USERRA, and related statutes.
Knowledge of legal research methods, statutory interpretation, and legal writing principles.
Knowledge of risk management, ethics, and compliance principles related to employment matters.
Knowledge of legal document drafting, contract review, and negotiation techniques.
Skills in legal research and analysis and in rendering advice based on sound legal judgment.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including developing and advocating legal positions, giving advice, and preparing and presenting complex documents or reports.
Ability to analyze problems and devise effective solutions, negotiate, mediate, and resolve conflicts.
Ability to use Windows and Microsoft Office and other business software, including electronic research tools and applications for producing briefs, correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Task management and organizational skills, including prioritizing a high-volume workload, meeting deadlines, and completing detailed work accurately in a fast-paced, changing environment.
Skills in handling litigation or administrative hearings, motion practice, discovery and e-discovery, and drafting pleadings, briefs, motions, and affidavits.
Ability to manage incident investigation teams with varied stakeholders and multiple projects with tight deadlines.
Ability to work extended or irregular hours and travel as needed due to internal and external obligations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and work effectively in a professional team environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with employment-law litigation in state and federal courts, including depositions, motion practice, and trial.
Experience with business immigration and visa-related legal advice.
Experience working at a large law firm or in-house in an employment-law, litigation, or international support role.
Experience communicating effectively and succinctly with high-level audiences, such as a governing board or executive management.
Knowledge of the Texas legislative process, open government laws, statutory interpretation and code construction, and public entity authority issues.
Experience supporting employment law and immigration matters for UK offices.

Responsibilities

Provide legal counsel and strategic guidance to Organizational Excellence and TRS managers on employment matters, including leave and accommodations, complaints, disputes, performance management, corrective actions, grievances, and terminations.
Prepare employment-related documents and legal briefs, including corrective actions, termination letters, and responses to the EEOC, Texas Workforce Commission, and Workers’ Compensation matters.
Assist with investigations of employment-related concerns and support resolution of related matters.
Research and advise on federal and state employment laws, agency policies, rules, and regulations.
Assist with reviewing and updating employee-related policies and procedures.
Monitor employment law and regulations and advise on risks associated with employment claims before administrative agencies and hearings.
Assist in defending the agency in employment-related administrative actions and work with the Office of the Attorney General in defending TRS in state and federal employment cases.
Evaluate and provide tactical and strategic advice on attorney demand letters, complaints, and other employment claims.
Deliver employee training on employment law and compliance topics, policies, and procedures; maintain job aids, quizzes, and related materials.
Assist TRICOT with secondment letters, direct employment agreements, and related documents.
Assist with immigration matters, including visa applications for secondees and direct employees and maintenance of immigration sponsorship licenses.
Monitor international employment law and regulations, particularly in the UK, and advise TRS and TRICOT stakeholders on risks and legislative changes.
Provide employment counsel and strategic guidance to TRICOT directors and managers and the TRS TRICOT Liaison.
Assist with and coordinate investigations and the defense of TRICOT in employment-related administrative actions and litigation.
Review proposed state and federal legislation and regulations and draft research memoranda for agency management.
Provide advice and assistance on applicable existing or proposed federal, state, and agency laws, rules, and policies.
Conduct legal research and analysis on assigned or referred matters, including matters involving other Legal & Compliance teams.
Assist with preparing audit inquiry responses on behalf of the agency.
Coordinate and review work of legal assistants, specialists, and support staff in assigned areas.
Participate in special projects and perform related work as assigned.