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Associate General Counsel

Sallie Mae
Posted Feb 26
Newark, Delaware

Associate General Counsel

Newark - Continental, DE

Who we are:

Sallie Mae is proud to help Americans aspiring to create the life they imagine—whether that means helping them make college happen, or other endeavors they pursue to invest in their future. Our colleagues across departments and across the country are united in our passion and our customer-first approach. Whether you want to join a growing company, be part of an agile workforce, or gain new skills—you’re in the right place.

What You'll Contribute


The Associate General Counsel position supports the Company in employment law and litigation matters and is located at either Sallie Mae’s Newark, Delaware headquarters office or the Sterling, Virginia office. Responsibilities include advising the Company on labor and employment matters (including being the lead counsel to the company’s Retirement Committee), conducting investigations, litigating employment and consumer-related claims, and managing outside counsel in litigation and investigations. First chair responsibility for single plaintiff matters, and first or second chair responsibility for class actions and government inquiries. Provides specialized legal advice to various departments within the Company. Researches and prepares oral or written opinions to legal questions. Works to maintain the Company’s project and case management system to ensure proper controls in defensive litigation. Considerable decision making and outside counsel management responsibilities. Responsible for resolving matters within budget and in a timely manner with significant autonomy. Contribute to team projects including e-discovery and may need to handle other civil litigation (non-employment) periodically. Actively participate in the development of the team paralegal.

What You'll Do


Description

% of Time Spent


Employment Law

  • Serves as chief in-house employment lawyer and provides counsel and advice on a broad range of labor and employment matters, including discrimination, disability accommodation, hiring, performance management and discharge, wage and hour, non-compete and non-disclosure agreements. Serve as lead counsel to the Retirement Committee; attend those meetings and take minutes.
  • Reviews and provides guidance in the development of policies and procedures relating to labor and employment matters.
  • Partners with internal clients in HR and other parts of the Company to manage risk, and respond to litigation, government agency investigations, audits and administrative charges.
  • Assists HR in developing and presenting training and compliance programs.

65%


Litigation and Risk Mitigation

  • Litigates employment and consumer-related claims, including the management of outside counsel. First-chair responsibility for single plaintiff docket.
  • Provides input and assistance to outside counsel on matters of procedure and substantive law including drafting, reviewing and commenting on pleadings, discovery matters, and Company policies and procedures.
  • Participates in periodic reporting on litigation and threatened litigation to senior management.
  • Assists in risk mitigation by ensuring a controlled operating environment through oversight of electronic discovery procedures and the implementation of root cause issues identified in litigation, threatened litigation and government inquiries.
  • Conducts legal research on increasingly more sophisticated legal topics and minimize reliance on outside counsel.
  • Takes initiative to improve efficiencies and organization of the legal function.
  • Identifies and reports on areas and problems which are systemic and may lead to exposure to the Company.
  • Issues Request for Proposal for employment counsel to add depth to our bench of outside counsel and to maximize value.
  • Assists with the management of the budget and vendors.

25%


Develop Staff and Serve as a Leader

  • Takes direct responsibility for the growth and development of the team’s litigation paralegal. Include them in activities, suggest webinars and articles; teaches them about new topics about the company, employment law and consumer law.
  • Contributes to department and company programs and projects as requested.

10%






Required Qualifications:

What You Need to Succeed


Being focused on our customer helps us to deliver a lasting impression and instill trust. Through collaboration and teamwork, we are able to communicate effectively across departments leading to better decision quality. We hold ourselves to the highest standards ensuring accountability in all we do to deliver on our mission and shared values.

What You Have


Minimum:


  • Bachelor's degree

  • Juris Doctor degree from accredited institution

  • 8+ Years of combined law and litigation experience in private practice and/or as in-house corporate legal counsel

  • Licensed and in good standing with any state bar

  • Excellent drafting skills

  • Trial or litigation experience

  • Labor and employment law experience

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and legal software products, including legal research

  • Solid foundation in fundamental legal theories

  • Meticulous attention to detail

  • Excellent oral and written communications and presentation skills

  • Strong quantitative & analytical skills

  • Some business travel required



  • Accountability - Hold self and others accountable to meet commitments.

  • Collaboration - Build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

  • Communication - Develop and deliver multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

  • Customer focus - Build strong customer relationships and delivers customer-centric solutions.

  • Decision quality - Make good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.

  • Instill trust - Gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.



Preferred:


  • Experience in class action defense, first chair trial experience, managing e-discovery, financial services consumer litigation experience and bankruptcy expertise.








What You'll Get at Sallie Mae:

  • Comprehensive Compensation and Healthcare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision plans)
  • Financial Well-being: 401(k) company match, employee stock purchase plan, and basic life insurance and short-term disability are provided to employees at no cost
  • Work/Life Balance: Paid time off, time off to volunteer, and tuition reimbursement. In addition, after 6 months of employment, primary caregivers receive 12 weeks of 100% fully paid time off and secondary caregivers are eligible for 4 weeks of 100% fully paid time off, for birth or adoption
  • Wellness: Fitness centers/gym subsidies, free Fitbits with step challenges, and wellness education
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