Senior Counsel - Employment Law

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. 

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) at LLNL, one of the nation’s premier research laboratories, is looking for a Senior Counsel whose primary areas of practice will include employment law.  We are looking for a bright, collegial attorney with a flexible mindset, sound judgment, and an enthusiasm for addressing unique legal issues in an intellectually stimulating environment. The successful candidate will be one who enjoys working in a collaborative office and building good working relationships with internal groups.  You will be joining a team that is responsible for a wide-ranging legal portfolio and you will have the opportunity to learn the business of operating and managing a US Department of Energy laboratory with a national security mission. This role will be in the Office of General Counsel, which is part of the Director’s Office.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one to two days per week. 

You will

• Provide practical legal advice and guidance to management, Staff Relations, Employee Relations, and Human Resources in connection with each step of the employment lifecycle, including hiring, on-boarding, performance management, compensation, discipline, benefits, leaves of absence, accommodations and terminations.
• Conduct legal research and monitor and analyze developments in employment laws and regulations, assess risk, and recommend strategies to support proactive compliance and effective policy development based on legal requirements.
• Develop, deliver, and support training for managers and staff on employment law and related workplace topics, and prepare or update employee handbooks, policies, and procedures.
• Support and, as appropriate, lead internal investigations of employee complaints and allegations; represent the Laboratory in administrative proceedings, alternative dispute resolution, union arbitrations, and government audits or investigations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate employment related documents, including benefit plans and vendor agreements; manage outside counsel in employment litigation and other matters as needed.
• Collaborate effectively with OGC colleagues, Laboratory organizations, government representatives, and outside counsel; mentor and provide development support to less experienced attorneys.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Juris Doctorate (or equivalent degree) and membership in California Bar (or the ability to obtain a limited practice license as Registered In-House Counsel in California
• Demonstrated mastery of providing practical employment law advice and managing employment litigation in positions with progressively greater responsibility and involving matters of greater complexity and/or significance over time.
• Significant experience preparing and delivering written legal communications, presentations, and oral briefings on complex legal issues for more experienced attorneys and for more senior clients.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and California state employment laws.
• Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Experience collaborating with and contributing to multi-disciplinary teams to solve problems and accomplish goals.
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience as an attorney, whether in a law firm or in-house, representing or advising: a U.S. government contractor or other large business organization, a university or other research-focused organization; or a federal, state or local government entity, including military service.
• Experience working as an attorney in a larger law firm (e.g. a firm with multistate presence) or comparable experience.
• Experience conducting internal workplace investigation, and handling labor and union related matters.
• Prior interaction with, and knowledge of, agencies such as the U.S. Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office of F