Employment Counsel

Fireworks•San Mateo, CA

18h

About The Position

Fireworks is hiring an Employment Counsel as a foundational member of its growing legal team. The role will own employment and labor matters as the company scales and serve as the go-to legal partner for the People and HR organization. It is a build-from-the-ground-up opportunity for counsel with experience supporting hypergrowth companies and scaling workforces. The position reports to the General Counsel. The Employment Counsel will advise on employment and labor matters across the employee lifecycle, partner closely with HR and People Operations, and help create scalable policies, templates, and processes for a rapidly growing, multi-state workforce. The role will also support international expansion, handle employment-related disputes, and help the company stay ahead of compliance obligations. Total compensation includes a competitive salary, meaningful equity, and a comprehensive benefits package. Fireworks describes itself as an equal-opportunity employer committed to an inclusive environment.

Requirements

At least 9 years of in-house employment and labor law experience.
Juris Doctor (JD) and membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
Prior startup experience, ideally in a hypergrowth environment.
A record of close collaboration and strong partnership with HR and People Operations teams.
Familiarity with employee equity and compensation considerations.
Experience supporting international expansion and navigating global employment laws.
A pragmatic, build-from-scratch mindset and the judgment to balance risk with business velocity.
An AI-forward builder’s mindset and demonstrated ability to use AI tools to streamline daily workflows and improve efficiency.

Nice To Haves

Startup experience in a hypergrowth environment is ideal.

Responsibilities

Advise on employment and labor matters, including hiring, terminations, classifications, leaves, accommodations, investigations, and policies.
Partner with HR and People Operations as a trusted day-to-day legal advisor.
Counsel on employee equity and compensation considerations.
Build scalable employment policies, templates, and processes for a rapidly growing, multi-state workforce.
Support international expansion and advise on cross-border employment and global labor law compliance.
Manage employment-related disputes and coordinate specialist outside counsel when needed.
Monitor compliance obligations associated with rapid headcount growth.