Legal Counsel - U.S. Employment & Labor Relations in Akron, OH
Job title: Legal Counsel - U.S. Employment & Labor Relations in Akron, OH at Goodyear
Company: Goodyear
Job description: Location: US-OH-AKRON-CORP-HDQTRS-2110
Goodyear Talent Acquisition Representative: Nicole CoultLegal Counsel - U.S. Employment & Labor RelationsThis Legal Counsel role is responsible for providing competent, practical, and timely legal advice, counsel and support to Human Resource professionals and other executive and business leaders in North America on labor and employment matters. This position will also defend the company in labor and employment related claims filed with state and federal agencies and supervises and directs the work of outside counsel in various legal proceedings. This position will serve as a key member of the Legal and Human Resources organizations to help identify and proactively manage legal risks, and provide practical strategies, training, and counsel for risk avoidance to the business units. This position reports to the Senior Legal Counsel - U.S. Employment & Labor Relations and works closely with the Human Resources and Compliance & Ethics departments.Job Duties / Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Maintains primary reasonability for a large volume of work. Provides extensive day-to day legal counsel and advice to HR and management on a variety of labor and employment related matters, which may include, but are not limited to, workplace investigations, discrimination/harassment claims, FMLA and other protected leaves, ADA reasonable accommodations, wage and hour issues, background checks, drug testing, employee discipline, terminations and separation agreements, layoffs, labor relations (including advising on the terms of the various collective bargaining agreements), employment agreements and restrictive covenant obligations, workplace violence, unemployment, and general employee relations matters.
- Highly knowledgeable and proficient in federal and state labor and employment laws and regulations, including federal contracting requirements. Keeps company abreast of changes to applicable labor and employment laws and ensures compliance with such laws by proactively developing, implementing, and administering training, policies, procedures, and practices. Independently handles legal matters and projects ranging from basic to complex.
- Supervises and directs the work of outside counsel. Responds to government agency charges (e.g., EEOC, DOL, etc.). Responsible for retaining, evaluating, and managing budget/billing of outside counsel's defense of formal citations, claims, legal complaints or lawsuits and similar actions. Provides counsel regarding and/or investigation of reports made through the Company's Integrity hotline.
- Provides legal advice and counsel to procurement and management personnel relative to reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and complying with contractual terms and conditions, including federal contracting requirements, indemnification or similar legal protections in third-party contracts, purchase orders or similar agreements covering non-employee workers, particularly arrangements with staffing, personnel and outplacement providers and vendors.
- Provides other legal support where and when needed, coordinates and manages the work of the Compliance Manager - North America and provides additional support and assistance to Goodyear's counsel responsible for: Labor and employment law, Employee benefits, Health and safety, Litigation, and Intellectual property.
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
- Must be an active member & have good standing with the American Bar Association.
- Must be an experienced attorney with the requisite legal background and communication and interpersonal skills to function successfully in a highly visible, high-volume, and challenging position.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in house and/or in a major law firm with direct responsibility for handling complex employment and labor relations matters.
- Excellent negotiation, leadership, organizational, presentation, interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Sound judgment; self-starter with strong understanding of basic business principles and a sense of urgency.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an ability to develop legally compliant, business-oriented, and cost-efficient solutions.
- Ability to manage a heavy workload and comfortable working with a variety of professional, non-legal personnel.
- Must be team-oriented and possess the ability to think creativity, proactively and be a legal business partner to internal clients.