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Job Description

Full-Time & Direct hire

Location : Novi/Northville (Hybrid)

Scope:

The Corporate Counsel – Labor & Employment (“Counsel”) is an essential part of the legal department and will partner with and regularly advise human resources and management regarding all aspects of employment law issues including: hiring, termination, discipline, promotion, employee appraisal and development, organizational planning and employment policies/procedures. Counsel will also supervise and manage employment litigation, state and federal administrative charges, demand letters and other matters involving disputes between the Company and its employees. Counsel will also assist the Senior Counsel – Compliance with managing the Company’s compliance hotline and overseeing investigations. Counsel will also be responsible for conducting company-wide training on a wide variety of employment law issues as needed. Counsel would be responsible for all Company entities in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Position Responsibilities:

• Advise human resources, general administration and senior management on all aspects of state and federal labor and employment law issues including hiring, discipline, terminations, pay and benefits across affiliates and subsidiaries.
• Advise human resources and senior management on labor issues and labor negotiations
• Manage and oversee the Company’s employee handbooks in conjunction with the human resources department and advise on annual updates in light of legal developments.
• Develop and draft employment related policies/procedures in collaboration with human resources team members and review company policies/procedures to ensure compliance with FMLA, ADA, FLSA, OSHA, ERISA, state Worker’s Compensation and Employment discrimination laws, and relevant international equivalent laws.
• Assist with the preparation of employment related form documents such applications, offer letters, performance evaluations and other standardized employment documents.
• Provide company-wide or focused legal training and assist with development of training materials for team members.
• Conduct internal investigations as needed in conjunction with human resources and the Senior Counsel – Compliance and report to the same on status and updates of investigations.
• Oversee and manage the defense and negotiation of all employment related disputes, claims and litigation.
• Manage and oversee all employment related litigation, arbitration and mediation and report out on those matters regularly to the General Counsel.
• Collaborate with, oversee and manage outside counsel in Canada, Mexico and the United States in relation to ongoing employment law related disputes and matters.
• Coordinate with the company’s insurance broker regarding EPL coverage and deductibles for all claims.
• Respond to any governmental requests related to employment and labor matters.
• Research and stay up to date regarding developments in relevant labor and employment laws that affect team members and business and update senior management team members regarding developing trends and/or changes to law
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Five (5) – ten (10) years of verifiable employment law experience in a law firm or in-house legal department or both; prior human resources department experience is a plus; candidate should be able to handle most aspects of federal law claims without assistance from outside counsel;
• Prior experience with litigation management required;
• Patient, down-to-earth and client-focused approach to providing legal advice and counsel;
• Ability to think creatively, to supervise multiple and complex matters, and to work effectively with clients, peers, and other parties
• Ability to expeditiously identify and assess employment law issues and provide legally sound recommendations consistent with good business practices and reason;
• Outstanding analytical, writing, and oral presentation skills

Education/Training/Certifications:

• Excellent academic record with a law degree (JD) from an ABA accredited law school; admission to the bar of any state and currently in good standing.
• SHRM certification a plus

Travel Requirements:

• Approximately 15% - 25%
• Must be willing and available to travel to such locations and with such frequency as is necessary and desirable to meet business needs.
• Occasional Domestic trips to CA, KY, TN, IN, IL, TX
• Occasional International trips to Canada and Mexico
• Passport required