Employment Counsel

Perkins Coie is seeking a dynamic and strategic Employment Counsel to join our Business Professional team. In this high-impact role, you will provide expert legal guidance on employment matters, ensuring compliance across jurisdictions while helping shape a transparent, respectful, and legally sound workplace culture.

About the Role:

As Employment Counsel, you will not only interpret the law, you will also help shape how we work. You will be the go-to advisor on a wide range of employment-related topics, including workplace investigations, risk management, and labor relations. Your role bridges legal compliance and People strategy, working together with our HR, Firm Personnel Partner, General Counsel and leadership teams to foster a supportive, forward-thinking work environment. Reporting to the firm’s Chief People Officer, Employment Counsel provides expert employment legal advice and support for employee relations and employment law counseling consistent with the firm's overall business strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

Legal & Strategic Counseling

• Stay ahead of the curve on federal, state, and local labor laws to ensure compliance wherever we operate.
• Advise leaders and employees on complex employment issues, offering strategic, practical solutions.
• Monitor policy trends and legal developments to mitigate risk and guide initiative-taking changes.

Investigations & Risk Management

• In consultation with the Firm Personnel Partner and General Counsel, lead internal investigations into sensitive workplace matters such as harassment, discrimination, and misconduct.
• Support employee performance conversations, disciplinary actions, and risk assessments for terminations.
• Represent the firm in government agency matters (e.g., EEOC, DOL), including audits and investigations.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as a trusted partner to our HR team and leadership across the firm.
• Provide mentorship and function as an organization-wide subject matter expert on employment law.
• Help build and maintain a culture of compliance, fairness, and respect.

Policy & Compliance Oversight

• Provide legal guidance on leave of absences and ensure compliance with FMLA, ADA, and other applicable laws.
• Review, draft, and update employment policies and documentation, including our employee handbook.
• Lead internal training and education initiatives on compliance and workplace expectations.

What We Are Looking For:

• Juris Doctor and active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum seven (7) years of employment law experience, preferably in a law firm or corporate in-house setting.
• Experience with international employment law, especially in the UK, is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in handling investigations, risk assessment, compliance, and policy work.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of employment regulations including FMLA, ADA, ERISA, HIPAA, and Title VII.
• Technologically proficient (Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS systems, preferably Workday).
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and ability to work with confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively help build productive and collaborative relationships while working in a highly matrixed organization.

Skills & Traits:

• You build trust and foster collaboration at every level of the organization.
• You tackle conflict with a problem-solving mindset.
• You lead with empathy and act with integrity.
• You are comfortable balancing strategic vision with day-to-day problem-solving.
• You are action-oriented, organized, and driven to deliver results.

Perks & Details:

• You will be part of a nationally recognized, supportive firm dedicated to excellence, client service and integrity.
• Comprehensive and generous benefits package.
• Hybrid work environment.

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact at a leading law firm while growing your career in a supportive and challenging environment, we encourage you to apply.

Please note that the recruitment process for this position is being managed internally. We are not engaging external recruitment agencies at this time.