Description:

Transdev U.S. is seeking an experienced Employment Litigation Attorney to serve as Employment Counsel, reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, Employment, Labor and Compliance.

About The Role: Building on Transdev's purpose and values, the Employment Litigation Counsel will act as a member of the Corporate Legal Department with a concentration on employment law across all divisions of the Company. On a corporate level, the duties may also include general legal assignments in respect to all divisions of the Company. This attorney will have significant cross-functional interface with Human Resources Department and business leadership in the field.

Annual Salary Range: $144,000-$180,000

Benefits may vary depending on location policy. The below represents the standard Corporate Policy.

Vacation: minimum of two (2) weeks
Sick days: 5 days
Holidays: 12 days; 8 standard and 4 floating
Other standard benefits: 401(k) retirement plan, medical, dental and vision, life insurance, short-term disability, voluntary long-term disability.

Benefits may vary depending on location policy. The below represents the standard Corporate Policy.

Vacation: minimum of two (2) weeks
Sick days: 5 days
Holidays: 12 days; 8 standard and 4 floating
Other standard benefits: 401(k) retirement plan, medical, dental and vision, life insurance, short-term disability, voluntary long-term disability.

This position is based at the Transdev US Lombard, IL (Chicago area) HQ office and will require travel throughout the US based on business need (approx. 20%).

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Employment Law Counseling and Advice
Provide day-to-day legal advice and practical guidance to Human Resources, operations leadership, and business partners on a broad range of employment law matters, including hiring, performance management, discipline, leaves of absence, accommodations, compensation, benefits, employee conduct issues, and terminations.
Partner with Human Resources and business leaders to evaluate legal risk and develop practical solutions to complex employee relations issues.
Advise management on high-risk employment decisions and workplace concerns while balancing legal, operational, and business objectives.
Serve as a trusted legal advisor supporting a large, multi-state and multi-site workforce across numerous jurisdictions.
Provide guidance regarding federal, state, and local employment laws, with significant emphasis on California employment law compliance.
Advise on wage and hour issues, meal and rest break requirements, pay transparency, pay reporting, disability accommodations, leaves of absence, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination matters.
Monitor legal developments and provide proactive recommendations regarding changes in employment laws affecting company operations.

Employment Litigation Management

Manage and oversee a nationwide employment litigation docket, including individual lawsuits, class actions, collective actions, representative actions, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings.
Direct and manage outside counsel through all stages of litigation, including case assessment, discovery, depositions, mediation, trial preparation, trial, and appeal.
Develop litigation strategies, evaluate legal exposure, establish litigation budgets, and provide regular updates to senior leadership regarding significant employment matters.
Review pleadings, motions, discovery responses, settlement proposals, and litigation budgets to ensure effective and cost-efficient representation.

Government Agency and Administrative Proceedings

Lead responses to complaints, audits, investigations, and enforcement actions involving agencies such as the EEOC, Department of Labor, OSHA, state civil rights agencies, state labor departments, and similar regulatory bodies.
Prepare and coordinate position statements, witness interviews, factual investigations, and agency responses.
Negotiate settlements and resolutions of administrative charges, litigation claims, and pre-litigation disputes.

Workplace Investigations and Employee Relations

Advise Human Resources and management regarding internal investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, policy violations, ethics concerns, and wage and hour issues.
Evaluate investigation findings, assess legal risk, and recommend corrective action, discipline, and other appropriate responses.
Ensure investigations are conducted in a thorough, consistent, and legally compliant manner.

Policy Development and Risk Management

Draft, review, and revise employment policies, employee handbook provisions, forms, procedures, and related guidance documents.
Provide legal support regarding matters impacted by FMLA, ADA, PWFA, FLSA, OSHA, workers' compensation laws, unemployment claims, ERISA, and federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws.
Identify emerging employment risks and develop practical compliance solutions to support organizational objectives.

Training and Leadership Development

Develop and deliver training programs for Human Resources professionals and business leaders on employment law compliance, workplace investigations, performance management, documentation practices, accommodations, leave administration, and emerging legal developments.
Create practical tools and resources that promote consistent decision-making and reduce employment-related risk.
Support enterprise-wide compliance and employee relations initiatives through education and training.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Active license to practice law and member in good standing of at least one state bar.
Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible employment law experience.
Significant experience advising large, multi-state and multi-site employers.
Demonstrated experience managing employment litigation across federal and state courts and administrative agencies.
Significant California employment law experience strongly preferred.
Experience handling wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, leave management, accommodation, and wrongful termination matters.
Class action, collective action, California PAGA, and complex employment litigation experience strongly preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:
Evidence of the following demonstrated skills and attributes are essential to success in this position:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Solid focus and attention to detail
Can responsively prioritize and handle multiple tasks in a fast paced, dynamic and time sensitive environment
Self-directed individual with ability to work independently yet also work collaboratively with legal team as well as with a highly matrixed internal client base
Demonstrated ability to synthesize complicated legal and business issues into practical and effective guidance
Excellent critical thinking, drafting, and negotiation skills with ability to work collaboratively with business partners to identify and allocate risk within contracts and resolve using commercially reasonable terms
plus
High degree of integrity and intellectual curiosity
Experience in litigation and litigation management
Class/collective action experience
Assist with special projects and serve on cross-functional teams
Experience with transportation industry, logistics, manufacturing, and/or public procurement are a plus
Muti-Site and Multi-State Experiences are a plus

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Transdev complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and candidates with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us.HR.TalentAcquisition@transdev.com