Employment Counsel

Lambda•San Francisco, CA

2d•$189,000 - $280,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Lambda is hiring an Employment Counsel to serve as the primary legal partner to its People team and business leaders on employment matters across a fast-growing, increasingly global workforce. The role advises on the full employee lifecycle in the U.S. and internationally, supports hiring in new countries through EOR and PEO partners or local entities, and develops policies, playbooks, and training that help Lambda move quickly while managing legal risk. The position reports to the Associate General Counsel, Corporate. The role is based in San Francisco, with flexibility to consider alternative locations for qualified candidates. Lambda follows a four-day in-office schedule, with Tuesdays currently designated as work-from-home days.

Requirements

JD from an accredited law school.
Active admission to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
At least 7 years of employment law experience.
Hands-on experience supporting international expansion, including hiring through EOR and/or PEO providers, hiring directly through local entities, and transitioning employees between those models.
Deep knowledge of U.S. federal and California employment law, plus working familiarity with employment frameworks in key international markets such as the UK, EU, Canada, and APAC.
Experience conducting workplace investigations and managing employment litigation and agency matters.
Sound judgment and ability to provide clear, practical advice that balances legal risk with business objectives, including when information is incomplete.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues simply to HR partners, managers, and executives.
Low ego, high ownership, and comfort building structure in a fast-moving environment.

Nice To Haves

California bar admission, or eligibility for California Registered In-House Counsel.
Experience at a law firm with a recognized labor and employment practice and in-house at a technology or other high-growth company.
Experience at a company scaling from several hundred to several thousand employees, or through an IPO.
Experience with equity compensation, including working with Recruiting and Equity Administration teams on employee and candidate equity questions.
Experience with employment issues for data center, hardware, or other operational and field-based workforces.
Experience coordinating with immigration and global mobility counsel.
Familiarity with global HRIS and EOR platforms.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day advice to People Partners, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, and managers on hiring, onboarding, compensation, leave and accommodation, performance management, discipline, and separation.
Advise on wage and hour compliance, including worker classification and California-specific requirements, contractor and consultant classification, and multi-state employment compliance.
Handle sensitive employee relations matters and separations, including drafting and negotiating separation and release agreements.
Partner with Recruiting and the People team on offers and hiring, and own employment templates such as offer letters, employment agreements, and confidentiality and invention assignment agreements.
Draft and negotiate bespoke employment agreements for senior and specialized hires.
Draft and maintain contractor, consultant, and advisor agreements, and advise on appropriate engagement models.
Partner with People, Finance, Tax, and Corporate on hiring in new countries, including the use of EOR or PEO providers versus establishing local entities, and manage providers and transitions between models.
Own the employment aspects of establishing local entities, including country-specific documentation, policies, and compliance.
Advise on international employment matters throughout the employee lifecycle and manage local outside counsel.
Conduct or oversee workplace investigations into harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and misconduct complaints.
Manage agency charges, demand letters, arbitrations, and litigation with outside counsel, focusing on cost-effective outcomes.
Own and update the employee handbook, policies, and required notices across U.S. states and international locations.
Advise on employment aspects of compensation programs, including incentive and commission plans, pay transparency, and pay equity requirements.
Support employment compliance for data center and operations workforces, including scheduling, overtime, and workplace safety matters.
Design and deliver training for managers and the People team.
Support employment aspects of M&A, reorganizations, and reductions in force, including WARN and international collective consultation requirements.
Partner with corporate and securities counsel on employment matters related to company growth and public company readiness.
Build scalable processes, templates, and self-serve resources so the People team can handle routine matters and identify when to escalate.