Assistant General Counsel

at  ERMCOECI

Overview:
The Assistant General Counsel provides advice and counsel regarding a broad range of legal matters and is primarily responsible for overseeing the company’s legal response to labor and employment-related issues. This role provides critical legal support in areas including labor union negotiations, policy review, HR counseling, termination decisions, severance and separation agreements, grievance handling, and defense against discrimination charges. Working closely with HR and senior leadership, the Assistant General Counsel ensures compliance with labor laws, employment regulations, and internal policies to support the company’s manufacturing operations and workforce management.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel in overseeing the legal aspects of the company. Implement short/long-term strategies at the direction of the CLO/GC that may impact the company’s legal function. Recognize when to elevate certain matters to the attention of CLO/GC.
• Serve as lead counsel on labor and employment matters, including policy review, union negotiations, and employee relations.
• Provide legal guidance on termination decisions, severance agreements, and grievance disputes, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Advise HR on employment-related matters, such as wage and hour issues, termination decisions, and reasonable accommodations.
• Oversee the legal response to employment disputes, including wrongful termination, contract disagreements, unemployment claims, and discrimination charges.
• Assist with the preparation and negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and other labor relations activities.
• Ensure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA), workers’ compensation laws, and other relevant employment legislation.
• Collaborate with outside counsel as needed to defend the organization against employment litigation and regulatory investigations.
• Provide strategic advice on the development of policies and procedures that align with current legal requirements and best practices.
• Monitor and interpret emerging employment laws and regulations that may impact the organization.
• Works independently, with minimal guidance from the CLO/GC, and may lead cross-functional teams or projects.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience in a combination of law firm and corporate settings, with significant focus on labor and employment law, including union negotiation experience.
• Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Valid attorney’s license.
• Extensive knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations, including FLSA, OSHA, workers’ compensation, and anti-discrimination laws.
• Strong experience in drafting and negotiating severance and separation agreements, handling grievances, and providing legal counsel on terminations and HR matters.
• Intermediate knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Ability to develop and mentor others. Leadership skills. Ability to drive strategic direction. Oral and written communication skills. Ability to build collaborative relationships and influence others. Strategic thinking skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working in a heavily unionized environment.
• Proven experience in managing employment litigation and defending against discrimination claims.
  Disclaimer: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Additional tasks and responsibilities may be assigned as required

• Support the Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel in overseeing the legal aspects of the company. Implement short/long-term strategies at the direction of the CLO/GC that may impact the company’s legal function. Recognize when to elevate certain matters to the attention of CLO/GC.
• Serve as lead counsel on labor and employment matters, including policy review, union negotiations, and employee relations.
• Provide legal guidance on termination decisions, severance agreements, and grievance disputes, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Advise HR on employment-related matters, such as wage and hour issues, termination decisions, and reasonable accommodations.
• Oversee the legal response to employment disputes, including wrongful termination, contract disagreements, unemployment claims, and discrimination charges.
• Assist with the preparation and negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and other labor relations activities.
• Ensure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA), workers’ compensation laws, and other relevant employment legislation.
• Collaborate with outside counsel as needed to defend the organization against employment litigation and regulatory investigations.
• Provide strategic advice on the development of policies and procedures that align with current legal requirements and best practices.
• Monitor and interpret emerging employment laws and regulations that may impact the organization.
• Works independently, with minimal guidance from the CLO/GC, and may lead cross-functional teams or projects