Director and Asst Gen Cnsl - Litigation and Employment

Chicago Mercantile Exchange • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

This role serves as a key legal partner to the global Human Resources team and business leaders, providing primary employment law support and strategic legal counsel across all US entities and locations. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in federal, state, and local labor and employment laws with practical business acumen to navigate complex workplace matters, mitigate legal risk, and support corporate initiatives.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Illinois or New York.
• At least 5 years of dedicated US employment law experience.
• In-depth understanding of US federal employment laws, including Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, and ADEA, and multi-state employment regulations.
• Experience drafting, negotiating, and implementing employment-related agreements and policies.
• Strong communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of advising executive stakeholders effectively.

Nice To Haves

• A mix of law firm and in-house corporate legal department experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to HR and business leaders on hiring, discipline, termination, wage and hour matters, reasonable accommodation, restrictive covenants, leaves of absence, employee benefits, employment policies, and training.
• Manage external employment counsel in litigation, administrative charges, mediations, and arbitrations to ensure cost-effective, high-quality representation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate employment agreements, severance agreements, restrictive covenants, and third-party vendor contracts related to HR services.
• Monitor legislative developments, regulatory changes, and legal trends across relevant jurisdictions to support compliance and update employee handbooks and policies.
• Conduct or oversee internal workplace investigations concerning allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or ethics violations, and recommend remedial actions.
• Design and deliver training programs for managers and HR staff on employment law, risk management, and workplace compliance.

Benefits

• Annual target bonus opportunity.
• Opportunity to become an owner through a broad-based equity program.
• Comprehensive health coverage.
• Retirement package including a 401(k) and an active pension plan.
• Education reimbursement.
• Paid time off.
• Mental health benefit.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree