Employment Counsel

Fanatics•New York, NY

5h•$190,000 - $210,000

About The Position

Fanatics Betting & Gaming is seeking an experienced Employment Counsel to serve as a legal partner to the HR and Employment teams for a rapidly evolving business. Key responsibilities for the role involve management of employment agreements, advising on employee relations matters, overseeing employment-related disputes, and ensuring compliance with complex federal, state, and industry-specific regulations. The Employment Counsel will act as the central point of contact for employment law matters, providing practical, risk-based guidance that balances legal compliance with business objectives. Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally. Launched in 2021, Fanatics Betting and Gaming is the online and retail sports betting subsidiary of Fanatics, a global digital sports platform. The Fanatics Sportsbook is available to 95% of the addressable online sports bettor market in the U.S. Fanatics Casino is currently available online in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Fanatics Betting and Gaming operates twenty-two retail sports betting locations, including the only sportsbook inside an NFL stadium at Northwest Stadium. Fanatics Betting and Gaming is headquartered in New York with offices in Denver, Leeds and Dublin.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; active bar membership in good standing.
4–6 years of employment law experience.
Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws and experience advising in multi-state environments.
Experience with US and international workforce.
Experience handling employment disputes and working with outside counsel.
Ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical business guidance.
Strong written, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills.
Sound legal judgment and risk assessment
Business-oriented and pragmatic approach
Ability to manage sensitive matters with discretion
Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills
Organized, responsive, and able to prioritize in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and negotiate employment agreements, offer letters, separation agreements, confidentiality agreements, and restrictive covenant agreements.
Support executive and key employee compensation arrangements, including incentive and equity plans (as applicable).
Develop and maintain standardized employment templates and playbooks aligned with regulatory requirements.
Serve as legal advisor to HR on employee relations matters, including investigations, discipline, performance management, workplace accommodations, leaves of absence, and terminations.
Provide guidance on employment actions involving licensed or regulated employees.
Advise on workplace policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and industry-specific regulations.
Review and update employee handbooks and codes of conduct to reflect regulatory obligations and enforcement trends.
Monitor and interpret changes in employment and industry regulations, advising internal stakeholders on required updates.
Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, anti-discrimination laws, leave laws, and applicable regulatory standards.
Support audits, regulatory inquiries, and internal compliance reviews.
Partner with Compliance and Risk teams to align employment practices with enterprise risk management frameworks.
Manage and assist with employment-related disputes, administrative agency charges, arbitration and pre-litigation matters.
Oversee outside counsel in employment litigation and regulatory investigations.
Prepare responses to agency inquiries (e.g., EEOC, DOL, state labor departments, industry regulators).
Advise on strategy and risk mitigation in connection with claims and investigations.
Deliver employment law training to managers and HR professionals.
Proactively identify emerging employment risks and recommend preventative strategies.