Labor & Employment Counsel - Chicago, IL
Our client, a global law firm recognized for its industry-focused strategy and innovative legal solutions, is seeking an experienced Labor & Employment Counsel to join their Chicago office. This role uniquely combines traditional employment litigation and counseling with data-driven workforce compliance, statistical analysis, and AI-driven hiring system reviews.
Key Responsibilities:
Employment Litigation & Counseling:
- Advise clients on employment law matters, including Title VII, ADA, FLSA, FMLA, DEI compliance (including for government contractors), wage & hour audits, and worker classification
- Support both employment litigation and counseling practices, handling administrative charges and providing litigation support for complex employment disputes
- Work closely with internal teams, HR professionals, and external stakeholders to provide proactive risk mitigation strategies
Data-Driven Workforce Compliance:
- Conduct adverse impact analysis related to workforce reductions, performance ratings, applicant flow, and hiring practices
- Advise on pay equity reviews and compliance audits, leveraging statistical methods to ensure fair compensation structures
- Analyze HRIS, payroll, and workforce management data to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Collaborate with data scientists, HR teams, and compliance professionals to assess AI-driven hiring systems and workforce management processes
Regulatory & Compliance Projects:
- Lead complex compliance projects involving legal risk assessments, workforce analytics, and regulatory audits
- Provide legal counsel on ethics & compliance programs, DEI initiatives, and employment-related regulatory guidance
- Develop data-driven methodologies to address client legal challenges, enhance equal opportunity initiatives, and mitigate risk
Statistical Analysis & Data Visualization:
- Conduct and oversee pay equity analysis using multi-linear regression models to assess disparities and ensure compliance with pay transparency laws
- Translate data-driven insights into actionable legal advice through effective storytelling and visualization
- Work alongside data analysts, HR teams, and consultants to refine workforce data for compliance reviews and pay equity assessments
Client & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, internal teams, and external stakeholders, demonstrating strong client service, responsiveness, and strategic insights
Qualifications & Skills:
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active Illinois Bar membership (or eligibility to waive in)
- 5+ years of experience in employment litigation and counseling, preferably in a law firm setting
- Expertise in workforce analytics, compliance auditing, and pay equity assessments
- Strong knowledge of Title VII, ADA, FLSA, FMLA, pay equity, and emerging employment transparency laws
- Hands-on experience with HR data sets, workforce compliance auditing, and regulatory risk assessments
- Familiarity with statistical tools and programming languages (eg, R, Python (pandas/statsmodels), Stata, Datatab, Excel) for legal compliance reviews
- Ability to manage complex compliance projects independently and translate data insights into practical legal strategies
- Exceptional communication skills to present data-driven legal insights effectively
Preferred Experience:
Candidates should have at least one of the following:
- Educational background in data science, statistics, or economics
- Hands-on experience in pay equity analysis, workforce analytics, or employment regulatory data reviews
- Data analytics certification, such as:
- IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate (Coursera)
- Google Data Analytics Certificate
- Equivalent industry-recognized certifications
- Experience with data visualization tools, such as SQL, Tableau, or Power BI
Compensation & Benefits:
- Base Salary: $200,000 - $350,000 (based on experience, skillset, and firm performance)
- Bonus opportunities based on individual and firm performance
- Comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision plans
- Pre-tax benefits (HSA, FSA, 401(k), and profit-sharing plans)
- Fertility benefits and family-forming support
- Paid parental leave (minimum 14 weeks)
- Generous paid time off (starting at 20+ days, based on tenure)
- 11 firm holidays per year
Why Join?
- Work at a globally recognized law firm with a strategic focus on innovation
- Be part of a cutting-edge workforce compliance team, integrating data science and legal expertise
- Collaborate with top-tier legal and HR professionals on high-impact employment law matters
- Enjoy a collegial, inclusive, and team-oriented work environment
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an employment law attorney with a strong analytical mindset to merge legal expertise with data-driven compliance strategies at a top global law firm.
To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and law school transcript.
Compensation:
$200,000-$350,000 per year
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