Sr. Employment Counsel (Remote)

Inspira Financial•Oak Brook, IL

3d•Remote

About The Position

The Sr. Employment Counsel provides strategic, practical legal advice to the Company’s Human Resources department and business leaders throughout the employee life cycle, from hiring through separation. The role advises on a broad range of U.S. employment and labor law matters, including equal opportunity, leave and accommodations, wage and hour compliance, pay equity and transparency, benefits, employee classification, restrictive covenants, policy development, and training. The position handles threatened and pending employment litigation and arbitrations, negotiates with opposing counsel, responds to agency matters, and may supervise outside counsel. It also supports workplace investigations, drafts and negotiates employment-related documents, advises on background checks and adverse actions, and helps HR review and update policies and employee materials. The role works closely with HR, business leaders, the Deputy General Counsel, and outside counsel in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
Membership in good standing of one U.S. state bar.
At least five years of experience in employment law, including in-house or law firm labor and employment practice.
Significant experience advising on wage and hour, employee classification, accommodation, and restrictive covenant matters.
Strong working knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, and FMLA.
Experience managing or supporting workplace investigations and EEOC charge responses.
Executive presence, strong interpersonal and organizational skills, and demonstrated ability to proactively provide sound legal support and exercise good judgment in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
High integrity when working internally and representing Inspira to outside parties.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic advice to HR and business stakeholders on U.S. employment issues throughout the employee life cycle, including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, performance management, discipline, leaves, accommodations, wage and hour compliance, compensation and benefits, pay transparency, employee classification, reorganizations, restrictive covenants, separations, and terminations.
Advise HR on employee complaint investigations and conduct investigations depending on the nature of the complaint.
Investigate, respond to, and mediate agency matters, including EEOC, state civil rights division, and Department of Labor matters.
Investigate, respond to, and negotiate pre-litigation claims.
Handle employee litigation and arbitrations or supervise outside counsel handling them.
Draft, review, and negotiate employment-related documents and templates, including offer letters, employment agreements, separation and severance agreements, and release agreements.
Advise HR and business leaders on background check issues, including adverse action processes and rescission of offers.
Analyze new and emerging employment-related laws, including credit check restrictions, pay transparency requirements, and the use of AI tools in recruiting and employment practices.
Assist HR in reviewing and updating policies, employee handbooks, and related materials for compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Provide support to HR and the Deputy General Counsel on employment matters as directed.
Work effectively with HR, business leaders, and outside counsel in a fast-paced environment covering a broad range of employment law issues.
Communicate proactively with internal clients and outside counsel to resolve issues and disagreements.
Perform other duties as assigned within the nature and level of work.