Senior Counsel - Labor & Employment

Company Description

Vuori is re-defining what athletic apparel looks like: built to move and sweat in but designed with a casual aesthetic to transition into everyday life. We draw inspiration from an active coastal California lifestyle; an integration of fitness, creative expression and life. Our high energy fast paced retail environment is reflected in the clothes we make. We aim to inspire others to take on all aspects of their lives with clarity, enthusiasm and purpose…while having a lot of fun along the way. We are proud to be an outlet for opportunity and for personal growth and success.

Job Description

In this role, you will be a critical member of the legal team, helping build the legal infrastructure for this exciting company as it grows and scales.  You will interface with business partners across the organization and help elevate the legal team’s strategic partnership with the business, playing an important role in bringing the Vuori brand to life.  In this position, you will provide support for a broad range of legal matters in the People & Culture space, including legal compliance and providing expert advice on matters related to employment law, labor relations, and People & Culture policies. You will collaborate with internal stakeholders, including Vuori’s People & Culture team, leadership and management, to develop and implement strategies that promote a positive and legally compliant work environment. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Partnering with the legal team build Vuori’s legal infrastructure and implement legal strategy 
• Staying updated on federal, state and local employment laws and regulations affecting the retail, apparel, and fashion industry. 
• Advising and educating internal stakeholders on legal requirements, ensuring compliance with applicable labor and employment laws, including wage and hour regulations, workplace safety, discrimination, harassment, and employee benefits. 
• Reviewing and updating company policies and procedures to align with changing legal requirements. 
• Staying abreast of labor market trends, union activities, and emerging issues that may impact the retail, apparel, and fashion industry. 
• Providing creative and practical legal and commercial legal guidance and advice to People & Culture teams, managers, and leadership on a wide range of labor and employment matters, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, promotions, terminations, and disciplinary actions, while coordinating with other Legal team members and stakeholders as necessary, building trusted advisor relationships and collaborating effectively across all levels of the organization 
• Conducting legal reviews of employment-related documents such as contracts, agreements, policies, and handbooks. 
• Investigating and responding to employee complaints, discrimination charges, and other employment-related disputes 
• Collaborating with internal and external legal teams to handle labor and employment-related litigation, including claims related to discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage disputes. 
• Conducting internal investigations and assisting in resolving disputes through mediation, arbitration, or litigation, as necessary 
• Providing sound dispute and risk management and, post-escalation, active oversight and management of disputes and litigation 
• Developing and delivering training programs to educate employees, managers and People & Culture teams on labor and employment laws, compliance requirements, and best practices. 
• Creating and implementing tools and training for smooth processes, efficiency, consistency, learning and empowerment 
• Staying informed about industry trends, emerging issues, and legal developments and providing training or updates as necessary. 
• Leading special projects and various workstreams as needed  
• Managing the successful delivery of services by outside counsel  
• Addressing questions and issues that arise from various internal and external stakeholders 
• Supporting the efforts to establish and evolve the legal function as Vuori grows and scales 

Qualifications

• J.D. or international equivalent and member of the bar in good standing in at least one US jurisdiction 
• Experience working in the retail industry preferred 
• 6 to 10+ years of relevant legal experience in Labor & Employment law, preferably with a combination of law firm and in-house, or an equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities 
• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local labor and employment laws and regulations. 
• Experience in a similar role and/or with identified key responsibilities preferred  
• Creativity and Strategic Vision