Labor & Employment Counsel

Highline Warren • Memphis, TN

123d • Remote

About The Position

The Labor & Employment Counsel serves as a strategic legal advisor to the company's HR and executive leadership teams, providing expert guidance on labor and employment matters across a multi-state manufacturing, distribution, and sales footprint. The individual in this position is responsible for ensuring compliance, mitigating risk, and supporting the company's workforce strategy in a dynamic and highly regulated environment, while supporting initiatives that align with the company's core values and maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards. This is a hybrid position located in Memphis, TN or Omaha, NE.

Requirements

• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and integrity.
• Strong litigation experience, excellent communication/negotiations skills, matter management, and deep knowledge of federal and state employment laws (e.g., FLSA, FMLA, ADA, NLRA, Title VII).
• Experience managing union relationships and collective bargaining agreements.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail and quality in accomplishing work duties and tasks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Clear and persuasive verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks, working effectively and efficiently with cross-functional teams and taking direction from senior team members.
• Use equipment, resources, and time in an efficient and effective manner.
• Technologically adept, proficient in use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), including to prepare reports and policies.
• A self-starter and comfortable working in a team environment, as well as independently, in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong legal research skills with the ability to analyze complex and evolving federal, state, and local employment laws, and apply findings to provide practical, effective counsel.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with OSHA and workplace safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Advise on all aspects of labor and employment law, including wage and hour compliance, employee relations, workplace safety, discrimination, harassment, and leave management.
• Represent the company in employment-related proceedings, administrative hearings, and settlement negotiations (e.g., EEOC, DOL, NLRB), including supporting outside counsel and coordinating discovery and investigations.
• Advise on and support union-related matters including collective bargaining, grievance resolution, and labor strategy.
• Draft, review, and update employment policies, handbooks, offer letters, severance agreements, restrictive covenants, and other contracts.
• Partner with HR and operations leadership to proactively identify and address legal risks related to workforce management.
• Conduct, oversee, and manage internal investigations and risk assessments related to employee misconduct, complaints, grievances, and regulatory labor and employment concerns.
• Monitor and interpret changes in federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and implement necessary policy updates.
• Provide training to HR and management on employment law topics and regulations, including harassment prevention, ADA/FMLA compliance, and labor relations.
• Develop and implement company policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all labor and employment laws and regulations.
• Conduct regular audits and reviews of company practices to identify any potential legal risks and develop proactive strategies to mitigate litigation and compliance risks.
• Collaborate with outside legal counsel as needed to provide comprehensive legal support and guidance.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with relevant government agencies and other external stakeholders.
• Communicate and explain complex legal concepts and information to non-legal stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Support HR and leadership on workforce planning, restructuring, reductions in force, and employee classification issues.
• Provide guidance on immigration matters (visas, work authorizations) and cross-border employment issues if the company has an international footprint.
• Advise on executive compensation, incentive plans, equity awards, and employee benefits compliance (e.g., ERISA, COBRA, ACA).
• Track, analyze, and report on employment claims, investigations, and compliance initiatives to identify trends and support continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Hybrid/Remote worker must have a reliable high-speed internet connection and a suitable remote workspace.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree