Job Description

The Brookhaven National Laboratory Office of General Counsel has an opening for a Senior Counsel – Employment Attorney.  As the selected candidate, you will provide legal support and counseling to the Lab on a wide range of employment-related matters, including recruitment and hiring, policy violations such as harassment and retaliation, leaves of absence, reasonable accommodations, investigations, discipline, terminations, reductions-in-force, and business restructures while partnering with the Human Resources team. You will oversee employment-related litigation matters alongside external counsel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Will provide proactive and strategic legal advice to HR, Management, and other directorates on a broad range of employment law matters including but not limited to:

Comprehensive Legal Counsel:

• Advise the Lab on employment-related matters, including compliance with federal and state employment laws, workplace policies, and contracts.
• Legal advice in the areas below including but not limited to:
  • Discrimination (Title VII, ADA, ADEA, etc.)
  • Harassment and retaliation
  • Wage and hour laws (FLSA, state wage payment laws)
  • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other leave laws
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and reasonable accommodations
  • Employee relations, discipline, and performance management
  • Workplace investigations
  • Hiring, onboarding, and termination processes
  • Reductions in force and reorganizations
  • Employee benefits and executive compensation
  • Union relations and collective bargaining (if applicable)
  • Workplace safety (OSHA compliance in collaboration with ES&H)
  • Federal contractor compliance obligations (e.g., OFCCP regulations)
  • Whistleblower protections
• Research and analyze case law, statutes, and regulations, draft legal guidance 
• Advise on the legal implications of proposed policy changes and business initiatives
• Conduct legal research and provide recommendations on labor and employment law issues.
• Provide guidance on appropriate corrective actions and disciplinary measures
• You may be asked to provide support in other areas such as compliance with DOE regulations and contracts.

Litigation Management:

• Represent the Lab in litigation, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution proceeding
• Manage and/or assist with the defense of employment-related claims, charges, lawsuits, and administrative actions filed with agencies such as the EEOC, state civil rights divisions, and the Department of Labor
• Work with and manage outside counsel as needed in litigation matters, developing legal strategies and ensuring cost-effective representation.

Drafting & Negotiation:

• Draft. negotiate and enforce employment, separation, consultancy, and other employment-related agreements.
• Compile documentation in response to administrative legal proceedings and litigation matters

Compliance and Training:

• Stay current on new and evolving employment laws and regulations, and effectively communicate changes to relevant stakeholders
• Draft, review, interpret, and update employment policies, procedures, and employee handbooks to ensure legal compliance and alignment with best practices.

Internal and External Relations:

• Develop and maintain strong internal client relationships.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Human Resources, other legal department colleagues (e.g., contracts), and laboratory leadership.
• Collaborate with cross-functional business teams to identify, evaluate and resolve complex business issues and risks, and create and implement training and education on a variety of employment-related topics.
• Build strong working relationships with internal clients and external agencies.

Risk Mitigation:

• Proactively anticipate legal issues and work with clients to develop preventive measures

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school
• Minimum of 8 years’ substantive employment law experience, preferably in a nationally recognized law firm or corporation.  preferably with a mix of law firm and in-house counsel experience.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in, form and lead teams, within the legal department and throughout the organization
• Proven ability to quickly, effectively, and clearly provide strategic, business-focused advice and counsel in a fast-paced environment
• Strong knowledge of federal and state labor laws, including Title VII, ADA, FMLA, ADEA, OSHA and FLSA.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, problem solving and analytical skills with a view toward creative and practical solutions, as well as proficiency in legal research and document drafting.
• Select and manage relevant outside counsel within budgetary guidelines to obtain desired results.
• Extensive experience with U.S. employment laws and regulations and related claims/litigation. Experience with jurisdictions outside the U.S. would be advantageous.
• Extensive experience conducting and supervising complex internal investigations, disputes and litigation related to employment matters, including conducting and managing electronic discovery.
• Ability to prioritize, manage multiple complex projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to integrity.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience at a DOE laboratory and/or experience providing legal support to an organization that provides goods and services to the U.S. DOE/NNSA or similar government contractor or agency
• Active membership in good standing with a state bar, with the ability to become eligible to practice law in NYS (if not already admitted).
• Familiarity with Department of Energy (DOE) policies, procedures, and orders relevant to federally funded entities.
• Experience with government ethics statutes and principles.
• May require some travel.

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